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Jane Fonda workout resurrected for TikTok video to promote climate campaign

Oscar winner and longtime activist posted videos on TikTok to promote her Fire Drill Friday protests, which have moved online following coronavirus outbreak

Louise Boyle
New York
Friday 03 April 2020 14:06 EDT
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Jane Fonda calls people to climate action through tiktok masked as a Jane Fonda workout

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The Jane Fonda workout is back, but instead of burning fat, she’s targeting burning fossil fuels.

The Oscar-winning actress resurrected her iconic 80s exercise videos — complete with leotard and leggings — to promote her climate campaign.

The 82-year-old joined TikTok, posting short clips to promote her Fire Drill Fridays, which have moved online following the coronavirus outbreak.

Following a short clip doing leg raises, she posted a follow-up clip wearing the red coat that she has been arrested in multiple times during climate protests in DC.

She said: “You know what, there are too many workouts happening right now on television and on computers. What I really would like you to do is to work out with me for the planet.

“There’s a climate crisis that’s a real emergency, and so whether you’re on your couch or your yoga mat, will you join me for the virtual Fire Drill Fridays? The future needs you. I need you.”

Virtual Fire Drill Friday kicks off today at 2pm (EST). The protests aim to pressure US politicians to adopt the Green New Deal and end the use of fossil fuels.

Fonda has led the Fire Drill Fridays protests in Washington DC since last year and has been arrested a reported five times.

The longtime activist has been an impassioned protester since she came out in support of the anti-Vietnam War movement in the Seventies, leading to her infamous nickname “Hanoi Jane” after she made a trip to North Vietnam.

Since last year, Fire Drill Fridays have been holding protests on the steps of the US Capitol building every Friday morning, inspired by teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg’s Fridays For Future school strikes. ​

In February, Fonda moved her protest to Los Angeles before the in-person gatherings were suspended in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

Jane Fonda, joined by Ted Danson, is arrested at the Capitol after she and other demonstrators called on Congress for action to address climate change, in Washington, DC on 25 October, 2019.
Jane Fonda, joined by Ted Danson, is arrested at the Capitol after she and other demonstrators called on Congress for action to address climate change, in Washington, DC on 25 October, 2019. (AP Photo/J Scott ApplewhiteAP)

The protests have drawn hundreds of fellow activists and has led to the arrest of Fonda, and fellow celebrities, on multiple occasions. In January, actors Joaquin Phoenix and Martin Sheen were arrested in DC.

Others who have been led away in handcuffs from the protests include Diane Lane, Sally Field, Ted Danson and Lily Tomlin.

Sam Waterston, Kyra Sedgwick, Catherine Keener and Rosanna Arquette among other stars have also turned out in support. ​

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