Marvel star Evangeline Lilly reveals she went to anti-vaccine mandate rally to 'support bodily sovereignty'
Marvel star Evangeline Lilly came out against COVID-19 vaccine mandates on Thursday, and discussed her attendance at a recent protest against them.
Lilly, known for playing The Wasp in Marvel's Ant-Man franchise, said on Instagram she was recently in Washington, D.C., for a rally to "support bodily sovereignty" and Canadian truckers who have been objecting to the government's COVID-19 vaccine rules. At this rally, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. delivered controversial remarks comparing vaccine mandates to the Holocaust and suggesting unvaccinated people are worse off than Anne Frank.
On Instagram, Lilly shared photos from the event showing signs calling for "vaxx choice" and "medical freedom," and said she believes "nobody should ever be forced to inject their body with anything, against their will, under threat of" anything, including loss of employment. "I understand the world is in fear," she said, "but I don't believe that answering fear with force will fix our problems." The actress added, "I was pro-choice before COVID and I am still pro-choice today."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Lilly, who also starred as Kate on ABC's Lost, received criticism early on in the COVID-19 pandemic after she claimed the coronavirus was just "a respiratory flu" and said she wasn't isolating because of it. She later apologized for the "dismissive" and "arrogant" comments.
Previously, fellow Marvel star Letitia Wright shared an anti-vaccine video in December 2020. The firestorm over the video led the Black Panther actress to leave Twitter, but last October, a report said she was continuing to espouse anti-vaccine views on the set of the Black Panther sequel. Wright denied this, calling the report "completely untrue," but she hasn't said whether she is vaccinated.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Calin Georgescu: the 'Putin of Romania'
In The Spotlight Far-right outsider sends shockwaves through Europe after surprise first-round win in Sunday's presidential election
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Is a travel credit card worth it? How to decide and pick the right one.
The Explainer Upsides include travel-related benefits and welcome bonuses
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
How IRAs work and what advantages they offer
The Explainer An IRA is a retirement savings account with tax benefits
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published