Violet Affleck, 18, is using her profile to get political on everything from Gaza to mask mandates - and even sends secret messages in pap photos after not being allowed Instagram

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Nepo babies have long been known for making political statements.

From Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke's daughter Maya telling a talk show 'f**k the Supreme Court' after its 2022 overruling of Roe v Wade, to Will and Jada Smith's Willow being vocal about her denouncement of Donald Trump and support of the Dakota Pipeline protests amid other campaigns - the trend is far from recent.

Jane Fonda, daughter of legendary actor Henry Fonda - has famously worked with the Black Panthers, was engaged in the Civil Rights Movement, opposed the Vietnam War and has frequently been arrested over the decades.

But a new contender is coming out of the mold - as Violet Affleck has attracted attention for human rights causes she sides with, all without flashy media appearances, a career in the spotlight, or even a public Instagram account.

The 18-year-old daughter of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner - who divorced in 2018 - recently made headlines with a passionate demand to impose 'mask mandates' in medical facilities and called for an end to all 'mask bans' to the governing body for Los Angeles County.

Violet Affleck has attracted attention for a number of human rights causes all without flashy media appearances, a career in the spotlight, or even a public Instagram account. Pictured with her mother in May, carrying a book on health inequality

The former Hollywood couple's eldest child, citing her experience of contracting 'a post-viral condition' in 2019, urged the LA County Board of Supervisors 'to confront the long COVID crisis' by strengthening pandemic-era protections in hospitals and government buildings.

'I demand mask availability, air filtration and Far-UVC light in government facilitates, including jails and detention centers, and mask mandates in county medical faculties,' Violet, who is often seen wearing a face mask, said.

'You must expand the availability of high-quality free tests and treatment, and most importantly the county must oppose mask bans for any reason. They do not keep us safer.'

And although it's her most vocal to date, it's far from being the first time Violet made a public stance.

She has often made her political views clear through paparazzi photos - through clothing choices or by carrying books.

Violet has also often been pictured wearing a mask at events with her family - even if she has been the only one to do so. 

In May, the teen also appeared to send a message for the cameras as she and her mother were snapped in Santa Monica.

Wearing a pink summer dress and cream cardigan, Violet also had a mask on and carried a copy of The Viral Underclass: The Human Toll When Inequality and Disease Collide by Steven W. Thrasher.

Elsewhere in January, she accompanied her mask with a black sweater adorned with a watermelon. The clothing item sent a message of solidarity with Palestine, and sparked demand for the shirt

Even one of Violet's more public appearances was in a political space. In 2022, she and her mother arrived at the White House to attend a state dinner - hosted by Joe and Gill Biden - for the visiting President Emmanuel Macron

The former Hollywood couple's eldest child, citing her experience of contracting 'a post-viral condition' in 2019, urged the LA County Board of Supervisors 'to confront the long COVID crisis'

The book examines global health inequality, in particular looking at the 'the racialisation, policing, and criminalisation of HIV'.

An online Waterstones blurb reads: 'Told through the heart-rending stories of friends, activists, and teachers navigating the novel coronavirus, HIV, and other viruses, Dr. Thrasher brings the reader with him as he delves into the viral underclass and lays bare its inner workings.

'In the tradition of Isabel Wilkerson's Caste and Michelle Alexander's The New Jim Crow, The Viral Underclass helps us understand the world more deeply by showing the fraught relationship between privilege and survival.'

Elsewhere in January, she accompanied her mask with a black sweater adorned with a watermelon.

The clothing item sent a message of solidarity with Palestine, and sparked demand for the shirt, which is made by a Chicago clothing company Wear the Peace, which is raising funds for aid in devastated Gaza.

The long-sleeve Violet was wearing looks to be available for £27 online, and 100% of the profits are donated to Pious Projects of America.

According to the website, 'the funds will be used for Pious Projects' on-ground team in Gaza to supply food, water, medical aid, and other necessities. 100% of profits is equal to $11'.

It continues: 'This is after our costs of manufacturing in the US, garments, screen printing, transaction fees, rush fees incurred for logistics and transit, and warehouse employee wages to ship the items.'

Speaking to the Chicago Sun Times, Murad Nofal and Mustafa Mabruk - who run the clothing line - said they had to hire extra staff after Violet's appearance. 

Some of her more lighthearted clothing choices have also been political in nature - in May, she donned a parody of a Barack Obama HOPE campaign shirt, replacing the former US president with Shiv Roy from Succession - and featuring the word POWER instead

Even one of Violet's more public appearances was in a political space. In 2022, she and her mother arrived at the White House to attend a state dinner - hosted by Joe and Gill Biden - for the visiting President Emmanuel Macron. 

Some of her more lighthearted clothing choices have also been political in nature - in May, she donned a parody of a Barack Obama HOPE campaign shirt, replacing the former US president with Shiv Roy from Succession - and featuring the word POWER instead. 

It is perhaps no wonder that Violet has a mind for politics, given both her parents have been very involved in causes over the years.

Although her views on Biden's current presidential campaign are not clear, Jennifer, 52, has been a longtime supporter of the Democratic Party and has featured in television ads for candidates. The actress has also been outspoken on climate issues.

Elsewhere her father Ben, 51, has been staunchly interested in politics and throughout the 2000s even voiced an interest in running for office one day - although he has since said it's not an ambition of his. 

He has also been vocal on issues such as a fair minimum wage, reproductive rights, LGBT causes and the climate.

In October, Ben was also one of the actors who called for a ceasefire in Gaza. It's also not surprising that Violet may want to voice her views in different ways, as her mother has spoken about not letting her use Instagram. 

Violet doesn't appear to have a public account, but it is not clear if she has a private one.

In 2016, when Violet was in middle school, Jennifer told TODAY: 'She's not on social media yet — her school has a no social media policy until 6th grade — but I know it's coming soon.'

But three years later - as reported by People - the mother revealed she was still on the fence about letting her eldest on the app during an appearance on Next Question with Katie Couric.

'She'll occasionally talk to me about getting Instagram, and I can see why because I'm on there and it's something kind of fun that I do, and I am modeling the opposite of what I want for her to do. How often is that in parenting?' she said.

'I just say, "When you can show me studies that say that teenage girls are happier using Instagram than not, then we can have the conversation".

'But everything you look at, I don't see anything positive for you out there. You can look at mine when you want to, we can go over it together, but I just don't see it.'

Violet's latest impassioned plea to the government comes following her experience of contracting 'a post-viral condition' in 2019.

She urged the LA County Board of Supervisors 'to confront the long COVID crisis' by strengthening pandemic-era protections in hospitals and government buildings.

The teen's speech was met with both praise and criticisms, with some hailing her as 'courageous' and others 'utterly deluded'. 

Her plea comes just weeks after it emerged that Dr Anthony Fauci admitted the restrictions he put in place during lockdown didn't do much to 'slow the spread' of Covid, and as lawmakers are signaling an openness to reinstating mask bans amid a rise in clashes at protests.

Violet argued that anti-mask measures are making 'vulnerable members of our community less safe' and 'make everyone less able to participate in Los Angeles together'.

She also detailed her experience of contracting 'a post-viral condition' in 2019, and said she 'saw first-hand' that medicine doesn't always have answers to the 'consequences of even minor viruses'.

Many on social media issued their support for the teen, saying she is a 'hero' and 'smart kid'. However, others were more critical  

'Amazing testimony! Violet is 100% on COVID Twitter. Thank you!' another added.

The teen, introducing herself, told the board: 'Hi, Violet Affleck, Los Angeles resident, first time voter, I'm 18.' 

She then shared: 'I contracted a post-viral condition in 2019. I'm okay now, but I saw first-hand that medicine does not always have answers to the consequences of even minor viruses.'

Violet then spoke about the COVID-19 pandemic and how 'one in ten infections leads to long COVID, which is a devastating neurological, cardiovascular illness that can take away people's ability to work, move, see and even think.'

'It stands to exacerbate our homelessness crisis, as well as the suffering of many people in our city. It hits communities of color, disabled people, elderly people, trans people, women and anyone in a public facing essential job the hardest.'

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is the governing body for Los Angeles County, where Violet resides. The Board holds regular meetings where the public can register to speak on specific issues.

Many on social media issued their support for the teen, saying she is a 'hero' and 'smart kid'.

'At 18 she has more courage than some people will ever have in their entire lifetimes,' one person wrote.

'I wish more celebrities had the courage of Violet Affleck. She's only 18 years old and is doing more than any politician.' 

'Extremely impressive how much she fit into that one minute,' someone else chimed in.

'Violet Affleck is Ben Affleck's daughter. She continues to be even more impressive as a teenager. I can't wait to see what she does as an adult.' 

However others were more critical.

'Wait wait wait, hold up,' one X user wrote. 'Violet Affleck contracted a post viral condition *before* the CV19 pandemic, in 2019, and her family STILL don't mask around her?!?

It is perhaps no wonder that Violet has a mind for politics, given both her parents have been very involved in causes over the years. Pictured with her mother in 2020

Although her views on Biden's current presidential campaign are not clear, Jennifer has been a longtime supporter of the Democratic Party and has featured in television ads for candidates. Jennifer and Violet pictured in 2019

Elsewhere her father Ben has been staunchly interested in politics and throughout the 2000s even voiced an interest in running for office one day - although he has since said it's not an ambition of his. Pictured in 2021

Affleck rekindled his romance with Lopez in April 2021. The two wed in Vegas in July 2022, followed by a lavish ceremony in Georgia in August. However, the pair's marriage has been hit by split claims for the past two months. Both pictured in February

The former pair married in 2005. They announced their separation in 2015 after nearly 10 years of marriage, and officially filed for divorce in 2017; seen in May 2014

Garner and Affleck also share Fin (formerly Seraphina), 15, and son Samuel, 12; The actress is seen with her three kids in 2018

'How many images have we seen of her with her family, & she's the only one masked?? God what a travesty.'

One echoed: 'This Violet Affleck kid is utterly deluded. She is still wearing a mask. Masks never worked but in the height of Covid fear, she may have had an excuse that others are wearing one.'

Violet - who is rumoured to be heading to Yale University in the fall - has consistently been seen wearing a mask in the past years, though her parents never publicly explained why.

She was seen wearing one at Michael Rubin's White Party in 2023, recently in May 2024 while spending time with her mom, and while attending a Broadway show with Ben and her stepmom Jennifer Lopez.

Garner and Affleck also share Fin (formerly Seraphina), 15, and son Samuel, 12.

The former pair met on the set of the movie Pearl Harbor in the early 2000s, but didn't start dating until later.

In 2004, shortly after his first broken engagement to Lopez, the two sparked up a romance, before getting married in 2005.

Violet was born that same year in December. Fin followed in 2009 and Samuel in 2012.

The duo announced their separation in 2015 after nearly 10 years of marriage, and officially filed for divorce in 2017.

Garner moved on with businessman John Miller - but they pair have since ended things.

Affleck rekindled his romance with Lopez in April 2021. The two wed in Vegas in July 2022, followed by a lavish ceremony in Georgia in August. However, the pair's marriage has been hit by split claims for the past two months.