Ben Affleck & Girlfriend Ana De Armas March In L.A. Black Lives Matter Protests

Ben Affleck and his girlfriend, Ana de Armas, joined in California’s Black Lives Matter protests on Tuesday in Venice, California. The two actors also showed their support for the First Baptist Church of Venice, denouncing the demolition of the historic black church.

Affleck carried two signs, one with the words “Black Lives Matter” and another that said, “Save First Baptist Church of Venice.” 

Affleck and de Armas were photographed during the protest and the “Save Venice” Twitter account posted their photo with the caption: “March for #GeorgeFloyd in #Venice today. Blessed to have @BenAffleck express awareness and concern for the local Historic Black Community in #VeniceBeach that has been long ignored and obstructed by local politicians, LAPD, and commerce bullies. #SaveVenice #DefendOakwood.”

“Ben wants to continue to be a model for his children. They talk about these important issues,” a friend of Affleck told People.

In February 2017, The First Baptist Church of Venice was sold for $6.3 million to a private company which reportedly has plans to remodel it. The church has been a landmark building within the African American community of Venice since it was built in 1910.

Affleck and de Armas are among a number of celebrities who have joined protests around the country following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota.