In a spirited commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, a coalition of well-known Hollywood figures and activists have launched a compelling video campaign. The message, aimed squarely at opposing President Donald Trump’s administration, underscores the urgency the group feels about the current political climate.
This star-studded video premiered on Variety and features an impressive lineup of celebrities. Among the prominent names are Mark Ruffalo, Sarah Jessica Parker, Ted Danson, and Judd Apatow. The nearly 10-minute video showcases these personalities as they articulate key principles from “On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century,” a thought-provoking book by historian Timothy Snyder.
Early in the video, Snyder himself sets the tone by cautioning viewers about the significance of the impending midterm elections. He describes them as a pivotal “turning point” for the nation, stressing that voters’ choices will either guide the country in a positive direction or exacerbate existing challenges.
Snyder reflects on the Republic’s 250-year journey, interweaving his personal connection, as his book “On Tyranny” has coincided with the Republic’s narrative for the past decade, having been penned in November 2016. The sentiment of both reflection and urgency infuses his message.
Looking toward November, Snyder expresses a sense of foreboding and hope. He sees this moment as a critical juncture where the trajectory of the Republic hangs in the balance, capable of veering toward either promising advancements or significant setbacks.
Reading from the book and its suggestions on how a nation turns to tyranny, celebrities recited lines including “Do not obey in advance,” delivered by Leslie Odom Jr., Sheryl Lee Ralph and Holland Taylor. Another, “Beware of the one-party state,” was read by Isabel Allende and Lisa Rinna.
Actor Mark Ruffalo, known for appearing in Marvel’s “Avengers” films, explained his reason for participating in the video when speaking with Variety. Ruffalo has long been an outspoken critic of the Trump administration.
“My hope is that after this very bad and corrupt time we are living through now, we move away from a government that caters to the wealthy and powerful and focuses on the needs, desires and dreams of the children and young people,” Ruffalo told Variety, later adding, “Keep America moving toward its great promise and not the measly mistakes and cruelty of its past.”
Ruffalo also called for closing the wealth gap, cherishing the planet and leaving behind the “colonial mindset of land theft, extractive economies, domination and materialism; embrace the Indigenous wisdom and worldview of circular economies, respect for all things and beings as our relatives and, therefore, worthy of our care and thoughtfulness.”
Snyder also posted his Substack video to X with the caption: “To celebrate a rebellion is to know that, from a flawed world, we can make new things. We can hold on, we can find each other, and not just imagine but create a much better America. It is a special 250th – it is ours.”
Under the description of his video, Snyder directly took aim at the current 250th anniversary celebrations, writing that the leaders behind them represent a “threat to liberty.”
“Sadly, those who lead our official celebration today represent every threat to liberty that the founders named: arbitrary rule; indifference to law; undue accumulation of wealth; corruption of the government to attain that wealth; collusion with foreign powers to attain power,” he wrote.
He also listed the participants, including Isabel Allende, Judd Apatow, Margaret Atwood, Joan Baez, Sophia Bush, Misha Collins, Kimberlé Crenshaw, Ted Danson, Ron Funches, Tony Goldwyn, Eric Holder, Jenifer Lewis, Leslie Odom Jr., Sarah Jessica Parker, Billy Porter, Maria Ressa, Lisa Rinna, Molly Ringwald, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Mark Ruffalo, J. Smith-Cameron, Holland Taylor, Viet Thanh Nguyen and Bradley Whitford.
Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment but did not immediately receive a response.