Jane Fonda rallies against I-2117 in Seattle — and hints at moving here

The actress and environmental activist Jane Fonda rallied volunteers in Seattle on Wednesday before they canvassed against state Initiative 2117. Opponents of the initiative say it will increase pollution in the state, while supporters argue for cheaper gas prices.

When Jane Fonda walked into the second floor multi-purpose room at the Green Lake Community Center on Wednesday afternoon, whispers started bouncing around: "There she is! She’s here!"

Fonda immediately commanded the excited room, her bright eyes gazing from above a black turtleneck.

Washington State Representative Beth Doglio introduced Fonda by citing the actress’s reputation of getting arrested at protests.

“Jane, you just keep on at it,” Doglio said. “Arrested four times?”

“Seven,” Fonda corrected, to big applause.

When she took the mic, Fonda said she was in town to urge people to vote against I-2117, which would repeal the state’s cap-and-invest program. Opponents say that will take money away from measures that curb pollution. Proponents of the initiative, who want to see the program repealed, call it a carbon tax that is driving up gas prices.

RELATED: Will Washington state do away with cap-and-trade? Voices for and against Initiative 2117

Fonda said Washington voters need to vote no and save, “the great beauty of this state. Oh my God, it's the most beautiful, I tell you.”

The Hollywood star shared her experiences advocating for various environmental causes. This year in California she helped stop a measure from going to the ballot that would have overturned a law limiting where oil wells can be drilled.

“Governor Jay Inslee told me about what's happening with 2117,” Fonda said. “We had the same kind of thing in California. I know what it feels like when a state passes a bill to protect people, to honor and respect people, and then a big financial interest wants to do away with it.”

Aven Frey from Bremerton showed up to Wednesday's rally with Fonda’s mugshot printed on her hoodie. The photo depicting the actress raising her fist has become a symbol of feminism and resistance since it was taken in 1970.

Fonda spotted Frey in the room, called her over, and signed the shirt.

“I was so thrilled. I was so excited,” Frey gushed afterward. “I gotta go talk to strangers, but I have this high to cruise on, so I think I'm gonna be good.”

RELATED: Why Washington tribes are fighting effort to gut the state's Climate Commitment Act

Before leaving, Fonda told Frey and the others that canvassing and talking to people face to face is the most important work in a campaign.

“You're doing God's work,” she said, “I'm so grateful that you're all going to be doing this.”

I-2117 will be on the ballot in November. It isn’t clear if Fonda will be back to Washington to campaign again before Election Day. But who knows? Maybe she’ll be here to vote as a resident in the election after that.

“I feel very close to the state and my grandson wants to move here,” she said. “So maybe I'll move here, too.”

Correction, 2:37 p.m. on November 1, 2024: an original version of this story stated the initiative would repeal a carbon tax. It would repeal the state's cap and invest program.