TORONTO – Allison Russell says the swift public outcry to Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension has given her hope that people will continue to fight for free speech.
The Montreal folk singer and songwriter, who’s now based in Nashville, says the response in the days after Disney-owned ABC suspended “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” proved that non-violent collective action can deliver results.
She pointed to the people who organized online to cancel their Disney Plus and Hulu subscriptions as a symbolic message to Disney as one example of how a united front can push back against power.
The Grammy-winning musician has long been a free speech advocate and says Kimmel holds a special place for her.
His late-night show was the first to invite her to perform music from her 2021 solo project “Outside Child,” alongside her ensemble the Rainbow Coalition.
Kimmel was abruptly taken off the air in mid-September over comments he made about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The decision triggered a widespread discussion about freedom of speech and U.S. President Donald Trump’s ability to police the words of journalists and comics.
Kimmel is now back on TV stations across the U.S. and Canada.
“In these times when there is fear about speaking truth, we have to speak truth even more consistently, intentionally and loudly,” Russell said.
“I don’t feel scared. I feel galvanized.”
Russell was one of the performers at the SOCAN Awards on Monday where she paid tribute to her friend and mentor Joni Mitchell. The 81-year-old folk legend received this year’s cultural impact award for her classic “Both Sides, Now.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 30, 2025.
