Women will resort to ‘murder’ to protect autonomy: Jane Fonda

News

By Katherine Donlevy

March 10, 2023 | 19:24

“Hanoi Jane” is at it again.

Decorated actress and controversial activist Jane Fonda suggested on “The View” Friday that American women might have to resort to “murder” to reclaim autonomy over their bodies in the wake of the Roe v. Wade overturn.

The Oscar winner made the comment when the hosts asked her what she could do other than march and protest to stop the recent proliferation of laws restricting abortion in many states.

“Well, I’ve been thinking about murder,” Fonda said in a comment that may have been lost in cross-talk until Lily Tomlin asked her to repeat herself.

“Murder,” Fonda repeated firmly.

The topic came up during an appearance with her “80 for Brady” co-star Tomlin, which started with the show’s panel asking if the duo would be able to film a sequel to their iconic 1980 movie “9 to 5.”

The leading ladies said it would be difficult – but not impossible – due to declining workers’ rights and restrictions on contract labour.

The 85-year-old took the opportunity to split the conversation into a discussion of the latest restrictions some states have placed on abortion since the Supreme Court ruling that decided Roe.

“We’ve experienced, for many decades now, having agency over our bodies and being able to decide when and how many children to have,” Fonda said after agreeing with Tomlin’s statement that the county is “regressive. “

“We know what it feels like. We know what it’s done to our lives. We’re not going back. I don’t care what the laws are. We’re not going back.”

The audience erupted into applause, but the panel only smiled and attributed the comment to “Jane’s activism.”

Sunny Hostin joked that the attitude would win her a Nobel Prize.

Joy Behar challenged Fonda, asking how she could effect change other than through marching and protesting, demonstrations that Fonda has been known to participate in — and get arrested for involvement in — over the past few decades.

That when Fonda made her “murder” comment caused the panel to break into uncomfortable laughter and quickly try to shift the conversation.

“Don’t say that,” Tomlin warned.

“She’s just kidding. Wait a minute… They pick it up and just run with it. She’s just kidding,” Behar said loudly, despite Fonda having a serious, non-smiling look on her face.

As predicted, the conservative backlash was swift.

Mercedes Schlapp, a former Trump administration aide, accused Fonda of “incitement to violence against pro-life politicians.”

Rep. Majorie Greene (R-GA) said she would report Fonda for her statements and The View for airing them, before rudely telling Fonda: “your eggs are dried up so you don’t have to worry about getting pregnant anytime soon so you can back off from calling for baby murder now.”

Fonda, a longtime provocateur who was nicknamed “Hanoi Jane” after visiting North Vietnamese troops during the 1972 war, stood her ground in an interview with the Daily Beast.

“While women’s reproductive rights are a very serious issue and extremely important to me, my comment on The view was obviously done in jest,” Fonda said.

“My body language and tone made it clear to those in the room—and to anyone watching—that I was using exaggeration to make a point.”

Fonda – who was arrested at a climate protest in 2019 – recently apologized for her trip to Hanoi, where she was infamously pictured sitting on a North Vietnamese anti-aircraft gun in a photo that led to much condemnation in the US.