Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment
On June 14, 2026, the Committee for the First Amendment presented Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment a rousing 90-minute evening of song, solidarity, and action at The Town Hall in New York City. The featured performances and appearances included Rufus Wainwright, Bette Midler, Patti Smith, Sasha Allen, Joy Reid and Jane Fonda.
A message from the organizers, “In a moment when our fundamental freedoms are under threat, music has always led the way. From the civil rights movement to today, artists have been at the forefront of the fight for justice and free expression. Join us for an uplifting night that celebrates the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment speech, religion, press, assembly, and protest and find out how you can take action.”
About the Committee for the First Amendment
The Committee for the First Amendment is a large collective of artists, storytellers, and cultural leaders standing together to defend free expression against government repression, industry complicity, and intimidation. The Committee was publicly announced on October 1, 2025 with a statement from Jane Fonda and more than 550 supporters from across the entertainment industry. The statement was a declaration of the signees’ shared desire to act in the face of encroaching authoritarianism and served as a signal to the world that members of the industry are ready to mobilize when their colleagues and freedoms are under attack.
The Committee draws inspiration from the original Committee for the First Amendment, when artists like Lucille Ball, Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and Jane’s father Henry Fonda stood up to government attacks during the darkness of the McCarthy era. Today, the Committee continues in that spirit: preparing for what’s coming, resisting with non-cooperation—but always non-violence—when necessary, and ensuring our collective voice is loud and purposeful in these dangerous times.
We invite you to enjoy the video below.
Invitation: “In this moment…”
A Commons Practice
We believe that people are not meant to navigate life, work, and uncertainty alone.
Every reflection is an invitation.
Many people begin here by reading a poem or reflection. Some choose to continue the conversation.
Our Community Tables are free online gatherings where we explore ideas together, listen with curiosity, and build genuine community.
→ Join us at an upcoming Community Table.
Visit Rise Up Sing Out HERE and the Committee for the First Amendment HERE to learn how to get involved.
If you are enjoying The Community Table and would like to support our work consider making a donation. While the offerings on the Community Table will always be free - we appreciate any support you can provide to continue helping us set the table for creating community.
We will meet for the Community Table every Monday at 4:30 pm or 8:00 pm (EST) - Go to our calendar at this link for details: https://courageouscommons.com/events/
July Courageous Citizen
Dr. Paul Farmer
For our July Americans Who Tell the Truth feature, we chose Dr. Paul Farmer because he spent his life living into the belief that we have a moral responsibility to accompany those who suffer. He didn’t simply talk about equity. He embodied it. Whether someone lived in a remote village or a place forgotten by the rest of the world, he believed no one should be beyond the reach of care.
https://americanswhotellthetruth.org/portraits/dr-paul-farmer/
Thank you Circles of Courageous Commons for lifting up the Committee for the First Amendment and its concert "Rise Up, Sing Out."
On this Fourth of July for America's 250th --- "The Committee for the First Amendment is a large collective of artists, storytellers, and cultural leaders standing together to defend free expression against government repression, industry complicity, and intimidation."
May all of us continue to Rise Up... and Sing Out... for liberty, democracy and equal rights for all. We are all children of God and one human family.
hooray for the musicians, painters, singers, dancers and all artists whose activism is their living art in the face of repression and to you, Circles of Courageous Commons for lifting them up!!!🌈