Hundreds of Hollywood and Broadway stars have joined forces to demand the protection of free speech following the suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. More than 430 actors, directors, writers, and comedians — including Robert De Niro, Jennifer Aniston, Tom Hanks, Selena Gomez, Meryl Streep, and Ben Affleck — signed an open letter released Monday by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), calling the move a “dark moment for freedom of speech in our nation.”

The backlash follows ABC’s decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live! after the comedian made remarks about slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk. A group of ABC-affiliated stations reportedly refused to air the show, prompting Disney to pull the episode just before it was scheduled to broadcast. The suspension has since ignited a fierce debate about censorship, politics, and the role of corporate influence in public discourse.

“Regardless of our political affiliation, or whether we engage in politics or not, we all love our country,” the letter states. “We also share the belief that our voices should never be silenced by those in power — because if it happens to one of us, it happens to all of us.” The letter, also signed by stars such as Florence Pugh, Pedro Pascal, Kevin Bacon, Kerry Washington, and Billy Crystal, concludes with a rallying call for Americans to unite with the ACLU to defend constitutionally protected rights.