Jane Fonda avoids arrest at LA climate change protest, talks Bernie as 'climate candidate'

LOS ANGELES – Jane Fonda may be back in Hollywood shooting "Grace and Frankie," but she's still carving out time to protest.

On Friday, dressed in her classic red protest coat (the same one she slung over a shoulder while taking the stage at the Oscars), the actress resumed her Fire Drill Fridays, an initiative aimed at politicians addressing climate change.

Fonda, 82, who was arrested five times while protesting weekly in Washington, D.C., before resuming her efforts in Los Angeles in February, avoided handcuffs at Friday's protest against the fossil fuel industry.

Before the rally, held at Los Angeles Harbor area in San Pedro, Fonda spoke to USA TODAY about the deal her lawyer cut with a district judge: She won't have to complete community service hours or return for a district court date, so long as she doesn't get arrested for three months in Los Angeles.

But as soon as that time frame passes in May, Fonda says she plans on getting placed behind bars again in the name of the environment.

"We’re protesting an existential threat that could determine the future of human life on the planet, basically," she said.

To combat climate change, Fonda said she wants to see fossil fuel emissions cut by 50% in the next decade and fossil fuels be phased out over the next 30 years.

"This is going to be very, very, very hard, and it requires millions and millions of people to do more than just be concerned, but to actually become activists and become willing to put their bodies on the line," she added. "That’s why we’re doing Fire Drill Fridays."

According to protest organizers, about 500 people attended Friday's first San Pedro rally, and about 100 joined Fonda and other celebrities for a march and second rally in front of a Warren E&P oil extraction site. No one was arrested.

Jane Fonda talks Bernie Sanders as 'climate candidate'

The protest capped off a whirlwind political week that saw Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden take the lead in the Democratic presidential primary, as candidates Elizabeth Warren, Mike Bloomberg, Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg dropped out. Fonda, who had donated to Klobuchar and Warren, said she's now shifting her support to Sanders.

"We have to get a climate president in office, and there’s only one right now, and that’s Bernie Sanders," she told USA TODAY prior to the rally. "So, I’m indirectly saying I believe you have to support the climate candidate.”

Protesters had climate change, and coronavirus, on their minds

In addition to the Democratic race thinning, the protest came in the midst of another major news topic: the spread of coronavirus. Other famous attendees, like Fonda's "Grace & Frankie" co-star Sam Waterston, avoided shaking hands, while Rosanna Arquette preferred to bump feet.

For Fonda, whose history of activism dates back to the Vietnam War, Friday's protest was business as usual, though she joked certain activities should be avoided.

“I’m not kissing anybody on the mouth," she said. "I’m avoiding shaking hands. That’s about it. No French kissing.”

Many of Fonda's famous friends have joined her previous protests, and Friday was no different. In addition to Waterston and Arquette, Diane Lane, Lana Parrilla of "Once Upon a Time" and Fonda's "Grace and Frankie" co-star Lily Tomlin also attended.

Fonda returned to California in January to begin shooting the seventh and final season of “Grace & Frankie." Season 6 is currently streaming on Netflix.

Though Waterston has been arrested while protesting with Fonda before, he said his schedule precluded him from an arrest Friday. He had an interview at 1 p.m. and couldn't be "tied up."

In regard to the election, Waterston told USA TODAY he used to back Bloomberg. Now that the former New York City mayor is out of the race, the actor says he's giving his support to Biden.

"Joe Biden is the easiest man to like in politics, bar none," he said. "Is there anybody that’s easier to like? I can’t think of a single example."

No matter who wins, however, Waterston says the climate "has to be at the forefront of everybody's concern."

At the morning rally, Fonda spoke about how celebrities can use their platforms to spotlight local activists.

Though some roll their eyes when entertainers speak up about political issues, Arquette told USA TODAY that sometimes a celebrity's voice is needed "to get the word out to people that are listening."

As an example, she pointed to Harvey Weinstein, who was found guilty of two sex crimes following a weekslong trial in New York City. Many actresses, including Arquette, have publicly accused him of sexual misconduct.

Protests take to TV: Climate protesters Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin get 'arrested' again - this time on 'Ellen'

"When you have a platform, it's important," she continued. "It's your duty, at the end of the day. It's not to get a nice table at a restaurant. It's to bring attention to causes that are really important for humanity."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jane Fonda avoids arrest at LA protest, calls Bernie Sanders 'climate candidate'