Former Home and Away star Isabel Lucas has thrown her support behind anti-vaxxer and Covid denier Pete Evans, after he was booted from Instagram this week for spreading misinformation.
The 36-year-old actress shared a rambling Instagram post about ‘freedom of speech’ on Thursday in which she compared reckless conspiracy theorists such as Evans to philosopher Socrates and even Jesus Christ.
Lucas began her post with a quote by English writer Evelyn Beatrice Hall, which read: ‘I do not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.’
Bizarre: Isabel Lucas (left) has thrown her support behind anti-vaxxer and Covid denier Pete Evans (right), after he was booted from Instagram this week for spreading misinformation
She went on to write: ‘I have been wanting to speak about freedom of speech and censorship here for a long time.
‘If you are feeling cautious to ask worthy questions because of what bullies, or those who lack insight or compassion might say, may you remember the words of Evelyn Beatrice Hall.’
The Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen star then encouraged her fans to seek inspiration from ‘courageous’ people who were persecuted for expressing ‘their truth in the face of adversity’ – including Rosa Parks, John F. Kennedy, Socrates and Jesus.
‘May you be inspired by the countless courageous ones’: The 36-year-old actress shared a rambling Instagram post about ‘freedom of speech’ on Thursday in which she compared reckless conspiracy theorists such as Evans to philosopher Socrates and even Jesus Christ
Scared she’ll be next? Elsewhere in her rant, Lucas warned that she’d been ‘hearing many conversations’ about the censorship her ‘friends are experiencing’
Elsewhere in her rant, Lucas warned that she’d been ‘hearing many conversations’ about the censorship her ‘friends are experiencing’.
‘Facebook, Instagram accounts are being removed, shadow banned and numerous YouTube videos deleted,’ she wrote.
Isabel said that deleting content that goes against ‘mainstream narratives’ prevents ‘humanitarians’ from expressing themselves, and from ‘shedding light on the uncomfortable truths that challenge us’.
Like Evans, Lucas has made headlines in recent months for sharing anti-vaxxer views online, and infamously revealed last April she ‘doesn’t trust the path of vaccination’.
Anti-vaxxers spread idiotic conspiracy theories with no basis in scientific fact. They claim that ‘boosting’ the immune system through diet, supplements and sunlight can make people immune to certain diseases, which is completely false.
Before vaccination campaigns in the 1960s and ’70s, diseases such as tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough killed thousands of children, whereas today in Australia, dying from one of these is extremely rare.
Anti-science: Like Evans, Lucas has made headlines in recent months for sharing anti-vaxxer views online, and infamously revealed last April she ‘doesn’t trust the path of vaccination’
She also came under fire last year for promoting a baseless conspiracy theory about the 5G network.
Lucas wrote on Instagram: ‘Freedom of speech is a human right. Just two weeks ago the second top trending question on Google was “Is 5G safe?”‘
Lucas and Evans were also blasted in May 2020 for publicly praising NRL star Bryce Cartwright, who was dumped from the league for refusing the mandatory flu shot.
Baseless: Lucas also came under fire last year for promoting a baseless conspiracy theory about the 5G network
C for Covid: In August, Lucas was caught going to great lengths to stay anonymous during a Zoom call with Covid-19 conspiracy theorists and lockdown critics – including Evans (pictured)
In August, Lucas was caught going to great lengths to stay anonymous during a Zoom call with COVID-19 conspiracy theorists and lockdown critics – including Evans.
On Wednesday, Facebook confirmed it had finally deleted former My Kitchen Rules judge Evans’ Instagram account.
‘We removed Pete Evans’ account for repeatedly sharing debunked claims about the coronavirus or vaccines,’ the company said in a statement.
‘We don’t allow anyone to share misinformation about Covid-19 that could lead to imminent physical harm or about Covid-19 vaccines that have been debunked by public health experts.’
Banned: On Wednesday, Facebook confirmed it had finally deleted Evans’ Instagram account
Dangerous: Pete had used his Instagram account to cast doubt on official information about coronavirus and the validity of the vaccine. Pictured with wife Nicola Robinson