Editing Ben Affleck (section)

===Political views===
Affleck has described himself as "moderately [[Modern liberalism in the United States|liberal]]."<ref name="Fox News">{{Cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/ben-affleck-talks-politics/ |title=Ben Affleck Talks Politics |first=Bill |last=O'Reilly |work=Fox News Channel |access-date=October 8, 2014 |date=July 28, 2004 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007125205/http://www.foxnews.com/story/2004/07/28/ben-affleck-talks-politics/ |archive-date=October 7, 2014 }}</ref> He was raised in "a very strong [[Trade union|union]] household".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/2000/11/08/reacts_ny/ |last=Reiter |first=Amy |title=Ben Affleck: "I Hope Nader Can Still Sleep" |work=Salon |date=November 8, 2000 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013142722/http://www.salon.com/2000/11/08/reacts_ny/ |archive-date=October 13, 2014}}</ref> In 2000, he spoke at a rally at [[Harvard University]] in support of an increased living wage for all workers on campus; his father worked as a janitor at the university.<ref name="harvard"/> He later narrated a documentary, ''Occupation'' (2002), about a sit-in organized by the Harvard Living Wage Campaign.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/2002/06/03/razsa/ |title=Welcome To The Occupation |work=Salon |last=Colin |first=Chris |access-date=October 8, 2014 |date=June 4, 2002 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015103210/http://www.salon.com/2002/06/03/razsa/ |archive-date=October 15, 2014}}</ref> Affleck and Senator [[Ted Kennedy]] held a press conference on Capitol Hill in 2004, pushing for an increase in the [[Minimum wage in the United States|minimum wage]].<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Ingrassia |first1=Lisa |title=New D.C. Duo: Ben Affleck and Ted Kennedy |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,632698,00.html |work=People |access-date=April 15, 2017 |date=April 30, 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828044631/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C%2C632698%2C00.html |archive-date=August 28, 2016}}</ref> He spoke at a 2007 press conference at Boston's City Hall in support of [[Service Employees International Union|SEIU]]'s unionization efforts for the city's low-paid hospital workers.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/2007/10/17/affleck_stumps_for_hospital_workers/ |title=Affleck Backs Efforts to Organize Boston Teaching Hospital Workers |work=[[The Boston Globe]] |access-date=October 8, 2014 |first=Jeffrey |last=Krasner |date=October 17, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140820094728/http://www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/2007/10/17/affleck_stumps_for_hospital_workers/ |archive-date=August 20, 2014}}</ref> During the [[2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike|Writers' Strike]] in 2008, Affleck voiced support for the picketers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.extratv.com/2008/01/16/ben-on-strike-every-day-is-a-shame/ |title=Ben on Strike: 'Every Day is a Shame' |publisher=[[Extra (U.S. TV program)|Extra TV]] |date=January 16, 2008 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014074420/http://www.extratv.com/2008/01/16/ben-on-strike-every-day-is-a-shame/ |archive-date=October 14, 2014}}</ref>

Affleck is [[United States abortion-rights movement|pro-choice]]. In a 2000 interview, he stated that he believes "very strongly in a woman's right to choose".<ref name="salon.com"/> In 2012, he supported the [[Center for Reproductive Rights|Draw the Line]] campaign, describing reproductive rights as "fundamental".<ref>{{Cite tweet|user=BenAffleck|last=Affleck|first=Ben|number=261638047119073280 |date=October 26, 2012|access-date=October 8, 2014|title=I'm joining Meryl Streep & Amy Poehler to put the gov't on notice: @ReproRights are fundamental}}</ref>

Affleck was a longtime supporter of legalizing [[gay marriage]], saying in 2004 that he hoped to look back on the marriage debate "with some degree of embarrassment for how antiquated it was".<ref>{{Cite book|date=July 28, 2004|last=Van Pileup|first=Minnie|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a6sj_xhQ50UC&q=ben%20affleck%20convention%202004&pg=PA100|title=Quotable Queer|publisher=[[The Quarto Group|Fair Winds Press]]|page=100|access-date=October 8, 2014|isbn=978-1592331208|archive-date=August 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240821051507/https://books.google.com/books?id=a6sj_xhQ50UC&q=ben%20affleck%20convention%202004&pg=PA100#v=snippet&q=ben%20affleck%20convention%202004&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> Also that year, he remarked that it was "outrageous and offensive" to suggest members of the [[transgender]] community were not entitled to equal rights.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/2004/07/28/celebs_4/ |title=Hollywood Celebs Speak Out in Boston |work=Salon |last=Grieve |first=Tim |date=July 29, 2004 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015103118/http://www.salon.com/2004/07/28/celebs_4/ |archive-date=October 15, 2014}}</ref> He appeared alongside his gay cousin in a 2005 [[Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays]] print advertising campaign.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.stayclose.org/campaign/celebrity.asp?id=2 |title=Ben Affleck & His Cousin Jason |publisher=[[PFLAG]] |access-date=September 22, 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070927004707/http://www.stayclose.org/campaign/celebrity.asp?id=2| archive-date= September 27, 2007 | url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2008, Affleck expressed concern about [[Barack Obama religion conspiracy theories|conspiracy theories claiming Barack Obama was an Arab or a Muslim]]: "This prejudice that we have allowed to fester in this campaign ... the acceptance of both of those things as a legitimate slur is really a problem."<ref>{{Cite news|title=HBO: Real Time with Bill Maher: Ep 137 : Synopsis |url=http://www.hbo.com/real-time-with-bill-maher/episodes/0/137-episode/synopsis.html |work=[[HBO]] |access-date=April 15, 2017 |date=October 17, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141117173511/http://www.hbo.com/real-time-with-bill-maher/episodes/0/137-episode/synopsis.html |archive-date=November 17, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/cifamerica/2008/oct/22/mccain-obama-muslim-powell |title=Powell's Remarks Rebut the Idea of Muslims as Political Kryptonite |first=Wajahat |last=Ali |date=October 22, 2008 |access-date=April 15, 2017 |work=The Guardian |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118090338/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/cifamerica/2008/oct/22/mccain-obama-muslim-powell |archive-date=January 18, 2017}}</ref> A reporter for ''The Washington Post'' overheard Affleck denouncing the [[Gaza War (2008–09)|Israeli invasion of Gaza]] at a Washington party in 2009.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/sleuth/2009/01/the_fifth_and_final_night.html|title=The Sleuth – Grande Finale of Inauguralpalooza: God, Gays and Gaza|last=Akers|first=Mary Ann|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=January 21, 2009|access-date=October 8, 2014|archive-date=August 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813083812/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/sleuth/2009/01/the_fifth_and_final_night.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Steven Clemons]], a participant in the conversation, said Affleck listened "to alternative takes ... What Affleck spoke about that night was reasoned, complex and made a lot of sense."<ref name="washingtonnote.com">{{Cite news|last=Clemons |first=Steve |url=http://washingtonnote.com/david_corn_and/ |title=David Corn, Policy, DC Parties, and Me |work=[[The Washington Note]] |date=January 28, 2009 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014190413/http://washingtonnote.com/david_corn_and/ |archive-date=October 14, 2014}}</ref> Later that year, in a ''New York Times'' interview, Affleck remarked that his views were closer to those of the [[Israeli Labor Party]] than [[Likud]].<ref name="curious">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/07/nyregion/07affleck.html |title=The Curious Friendship of Weiner and Affleck |first=Michael |last=Barbaro |work=The New York Times |date=May 6, 2009 |access-date=March 27, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927004101/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/07/nyregion/07affleck.html |archive-date=September 27, 2015}}</ref>
In 2012, he praised Senator [[John McCain]]'s leadership in defending [[Huma Abedin]] against anti-Muslim attacks.<ref>{{Cite tweet|user=BenAffleck|last=Affleck|first=Ben|number=226028074091806720 |date=July 19, 2012|access-date=October 8, 2014|title=Great to see leadership like this. Thank you @SenJohnMcCain}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0712/78666.html |title=John McCain Blasts 'Unjust' Attacks on Huma Abedin |work=Politico |date=July 18, 2012 |last=Wong |first=Scott |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101190748/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0712/78666.html |archive-date=November 1, 2014}}</ref> Affleck engaged in a widely-shared discussion about the relationship between liberal principles and Islam during a 2014 appearance on ''[[Real Time with Bill Maher]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Affleck and Maher Debate Radical Islam |url=http://www.hbo.com/real-time-with-bill-maher/episodes/12/331-episode/video/october-3-2014-ben-affleck-sam-harris-and-bill-maher-debate-radical-islam-.html |publisher=HBO |access-date=April 15, 2017 |date=October 3, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416050305/http://www.hbo.com/real-time-with-bill-maher/episodes/12/331-episode/video/october-3-2014-ben-affleck-sam-harris-and-bill-maher-debate-radical-islam-.html |archive-date=April 16, 2017}}</ref> In a 2017 ''Guardian'' interview, he reflected on the viral moment: "I strongly believe that no one should be stereotyped on the basis of their race or religion. It's one of the most fundamental tenets of liberal thought."<ref name="auto1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/jan/01/ben-affleck-my-dreams-have-true-come-at-a-price |title=Ben Affleck: 'My Wildest Dreams Have Come True, But At a Price' |first=Martyn |last=Palmer |work=The Guardian |date=January 1, 2017 |access-date=April 15, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423074130/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/jan/01/ben-affleck-my-dreams-have-true-come-at-a-price |archive-date=April 23, 2017}}</ref> In 2023, Affleck signed the [[Artists4Ceasefire]] open letter calling for a ceasefire during the [[Gaza war|Israeli bombardment of Gaza]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Artists4Ceasefire |url=https://www.artists4ceasefire.org/ |access-date=December 17, 2023 |website=Artists4Ceasefire |language=en-US}}</ref>

[[File:Secretary Kerry Meets With Ben Affleck (12797462584).jpg|thumb|Affleck with [[Russ Feingold]] and Secretary of State [[John Kerry]] in February 2014]]

Affleck appeared at a press conference with New York Senator [[Chuck Schumer]] in 2002, in support of a proposed Anti-Nuclear Terrorism Prevention Act.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://people.com/celebrity/ben-affleck-soars-to-sexy/the-advocate |title=Ben Affleck Soars to Sexy |work=People |date=April 26, 2004 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416125647/http://people.com/celebrity/ben-affleck-soars-to-sexy/the-advocate/ |archive-date=April 16, 2017}}</ref> In 2003, he criticized the "questionable and aggressive" use of the [[Patriot Act]] and the resulting "encroachments on civil liberties".<ref name="philly2003"/> Affleck criticized the [[Bush tax cuts]] on many occasions.<ref name="philly2003">{{Cite news|last1=Gensler|first1=Howard|title=Ben the 'Patriot' Can't Fathom 'Girlfriend' Attention|url=http://articles.philly.com/2003-10-17/entertainment/25464571_1_skull-roy-horn-katey-sagal|work=[[Philadelphia Daily News]]|access-date=April 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819085422/http://articles.philly.com/2003-10-17/entertainment/25464571_1_skull-roy-horn-katey-sagal|archive-date=August 19, 2014|date=October 17, 2003}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/26/politics/trail/26TRAIL-BEN.html |title=Ben Affleck Plays Himself at Convention |date=July 26, 2004 |work=The New York Times |first=Carl |last=Hulse |access-date=April 15, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016215038/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/26/politics/trail/26TRAIL-BEN.html |archive-date=October 16, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2004/07/27/ben-afflecks-message-on-taxes-dont-give-me-a-break/ |title=Ben Affleck's Message On Taxes: Don't Give Me A Break |work=[[Orlando Sentinel]] |last=Maxwell |first=Scott |date=July 27, 2004 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015014320/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2004-07-27/news/0407270110_1_delegation-orlando-international-airport-roast |archive-date=October 15, 2014}}</ref> In 2007, he filmed a public service announcement for [[Divided We Fail]], a nonpartisan [[AARP]] campaign seeking affordable, quality healthcare for all Americans.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Alexander |first1=Bryan |title=Ben Affleck, Reese Witherspoon Debut Political Ads |url=http://people.com/celebrity/ben-affleck-reese-witherspoon-debut-political-ads/ |work=People |access-date=April 15, 2017 |date=November 12, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416044206/http://people.com/celebrity/ben-affleck-reese-witherspoon-debut-political-ads/ |archive-date=April 16, 2017}}</ref>

Affleck expressed support for the [[Second Amendment to the United States Constitution|Second Amendment]] in 2004,<ref name="Fox News"/> and said in 2012 that he owned several guns, both for [[skeet shooting]] and for the protection of his family.<ref name="auto"/> In 2020, he said trips to gun ranges as a young adult made him "uncomfortable to remember ... given the subsequent tragedies with young people and guns."<ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Kirkpatrick |first1=Emily |title=Ben Affleck Remembers Having to "Bill Clinton It" with Weed on the Set of Dazed and Confused |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2020/11/ben-affleck-dazed-and-confused-cast-weed-alcohol-guns |access-date=March 2, 2021 |magazine=Vanity Fair |language=en-us |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121215229/https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2020/11/ben-affleck-dazed-and-confused-cast-weed-alcohol-guns |url-status=live }}</ref>

Affleck appeared alongside then-Senator [[Barack Obama]] at a 2006 rally in support of [[California Proposition 87 (2006)|Proposition 87]], which sought to reduce petroleum consumption in favor of alternative energy.<ref name="nbclosangeles1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Angelenos-Invited-to-Public-Inauguration-Celebrations.html |title=Angelenos Invited to Public Inauguration Celebrations |work=[[NBC]] |date=July 17, 2009 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015015719/http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Angelenos-Invited-to-Public-Inauguration-Celebrations.html |archive-date=October 15, 2014}}</ref> He appeared in a global warming awareness video produced by the [[Center for American Progress Action Fund]] in 2007.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Stockton Rhone |first1=Paysha |title=Ben Affleck Stars in 'Corny' Environmental Ad |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20047730,00.html |work=People |access-date=April 15, 2017 |date=July 23, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817184807/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C%2C20047730%2C00.html |archive-date=August 17, 2016}}</ref> Also that year, Affleck admitted he was not "particularly good at being green" while, in 2014, he named "a [[Chevrolet Chevelle|1966 Chevelle]]" as his guilty pleasure.<ref name="msnbc">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna19110556 |title='Hardball with Chris Matthews' for June 7 |publisher=[[MSNBC]] |date=June 7, 2007 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006084456/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/19110556/ns/msnbc-hardball_with_chris_matthews/t/hardball-chris-matthews-june/ |archive-date=October 6, 2014}}</ref><ref name="kinja1" /> In 2016, Affleck filmed an endorsement for Rezpect Our Water, an online petition to stop construction of the [[Dakota Access Pipeline protests|Dakota Access Pipeline]].<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Yee |first1=Laurence |title='Justice League' Cast Supports Dakota Access Pipeline Opposition |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/justice-league-cast-dakota-access-pipeline-opposition-ben-affleck-jason-momoa-1201853886/ |work=Variety |date=September 7, 2016 |access-date=March 20, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170321082048/http://variety.com/2016/film/news/justice-league-cast-dakota-access-pipeline-opposition-ben-affleck-jason-momoa-1201853886/ |archive-date=March 21, 2017}}</ref>