Sarah McLachlan, Jewel Cancel Lilith Fair Doc Premiere Performance in Free Speech Protest Amid Jimmy Kimmel Suspension

Sarah McLachlan and other artists canceled their planned performance at the premiere of the Disney-owned ABC News documentary "Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery" in a protest supporting free speech following the suspension of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" by Disney under pressure from the FCC led by Donald Trump. McLachlan, speaking at the event, highlighted concerns about the erosion of women's rights, trans and queer rights, and the muzzling of free speech, expressing fear for the future but hope in music as a bridge to shared humanity. The red carpet for the event was also canceled by ABC News Studios, and the decision not to perform was made collectively by the musicians. The suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's show came after his comments regarding the reaction to Charlie Kirk's killing, which triggered threats from the FCC to pull broadcast licenses, prompting Disney executives to take swift action. The fallout from Disney's decision sparked backlash from artists, consumers, and even Disney executives, including protests and calls to cancel Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions. Despite the tension, McLachlan emphasized the importance of continuing to push forward with kindness and empathy to create positive change.