Statement of the Committee for the First Amendment
10/21/1947
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The Committee for the First Amendment, a group of American Hollywood actors and writers, issued this statement in regards to the hearings of the House Committee on Un-American Activities. Pursuing communists during the Cold War, Congress had subpoenaed a group of producers, directors, and screenwriters who came to be known as the “Hollywood Ten” to question their beliefs. Citing the First Amendment, the Hollywood Ten refused to answer, and were jailed for contempt. The founders of the Committee for the First Amendment believed that holding political beliefs considered “unAmerican” should not send you to prison. Congress later abandoned these hearings.
This primary source comes from the Records of the U.S. House of Representatives.
National Archives Identifier: 25466014
Full Citation: Statement of the Committee for the First Amendment; 10/21/1947; Organization Files of the Files and Reference Section of the Internal Security Committee During the 79th through 94th Congresses; Committee Papers, 1945 - 1975; Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, Record Group 233; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/committee-for-the-first-amendment, April 27, 2025]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.
