Violet Affleck has been consistent in her message and in her actions. The 20-year-old activist was seen bundled up in New York City wearing a protective face mask while accompanying her father, Ben Affleck, during his press tour for Netflix’s ‘The Rip.’
Her appearance came just under four months after making international headlines at the United Nations, where she delivered a forceful address demanding renewed COVID-19 protections and clean-air infrastructure.
Violet was photographed departing The Whitby Hotel alongside her father. The Yale student kept warm in a black coat layered over a pink top and blue multicolored jeans, pairing her look with a backpack accented by a pink bag charm.
© Backgrid/The Grosby GroupBen Affleck, 53, stepped out in a blue coat and denim as he continued promotional stops, including a joint appearance with longtime friend Matt Damon on The Howard Stern Show.
Ben Affleck says Violet “takes after her mom”:
While Violet’s activism continues to attract attention, her father has repeatedly praised her determination and intellect. In an interview with Access Hollywood, Affleck shared how proud he is of their three children and of his co-parenting relationship with Jennifer Garner.
© Getty Images“I could not be more proud of my children. I can’t even tell you,” he said. “Violet takes after her mom. She’s spectacular.” He emphasized how grateful he feels for the support and teamwork he shares with Garner.
“I’m very lucky that I’ve got a great partner and we’ve got great kids. It’s the joy of my life, and I’m just very, very lucky. And it makes me happy every day.”
© Pierre SuuAffleck and Garner, who married in 2005, separated in 2015 and finalized their divorce in 2018, share three children, Violet, 20, Fin, 16, and Samuel, 13.
A UN Speech that sparked global attention:
Violet’s New York outing immediately reignited conversation about her appearance before the United Nations on September 23, 2025. Speaking at the Healthy Indoor Air: A Global Call to Action summit, she warned world leaders that ignoring airborne transmission and long COVID would have devastating consequences.
© Backgrid/The Grosby GroupShe did not hold back. “We are told by leaders across the board that we are the future. But when it comes to the ongoing pandemic, our present is being stolen right in front of our eyes.”
She continued, criticizing the push to move on from the pandemic without protections. “It is neglect of the highest order to look children in the eyes and say, “We knew how to protect you, and we didn’t do it.”’
© GC ImagesViolet detailed what researchers have repeatedly confirmed, “SARS-CoV-2 is airborne, floating and lingering in the air, one infection can result in disabling damage to almost every cell in the body from the brain and heart to the nerves and blood vessels.”
Citing Yale immunologist Dr. Akiko Iwasaki, she added, “At this point, the whole population is the control group.” She noted that long COVID has already become more common than asthma among children under five.
© x17/The Grosby GroupViolet’s public health stance:
Violet’s public health stance comes from lived experience. She has spoken openly about developing a post-viral condition in 2019 and again said during a 2024 speech to the LA County Board of Supervisors that she “saw first-hand that medicine does not always have answers to the consequences of even minor viruses.”
© UN YoutubeAt that meeting, she warned. “One in 10 infections leads to long COVID, which is a devastating neurological and cardiovascular illness that can take away people’s ability to work, see, move, and even think.”
She pushed for mask availability, high-quality free tests, air filtration, Far-UVC light in public buildings, and an end to mask bans. “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.”
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