Kerry Kennedy.Photo: Mike Pont/Getty
“Even in Hitler’s Germany, you could cross the Alps to Switzerland. You could hide in an attic like Anne Frank did,” Robert, 68, said during a speech at an anti-vaccine rally in Washington, D.C., on Sunday. “Today the mechanisms are being put in place so none of us can run and none of us can hide.”
His sister — the president of ahuman rights organizationbearing the name of her and her brother’s father, late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy — subsequently posted afurious messageon Instagram Monday.
Pier Marco Tacca/Getty
Robertapologized for the remarkson Tuesday “for my reference to Anne Frank, especially to families that suffered the Holocaust horrors,” hewrote on Twitter. “My intention was to use examples of past barbarism to show the perils from new technologies of control. To the extent my remarks caused hurt, I am truly and deeply sorry.”
The apology came after his wife — as well as institutions dedicated to memorializing Holocaust victims and educating people on the horrific history of the Nazi era — also spoke out against the passionately anti-vaccine activist’s remarks.
“My husband’s reference to Anne Frank at a mandate rally in D.C. was reprehensible and insensitive,“Curb Your EnthusiasmstarCheryl Hines, who wed Robert in 2014,wrote on Twitter. “The atrocities that millions endured during the Holocaust should never be compared to anyone or anything. His opinions are not a reflection of my own.”
Dr. Kerry Kennedy Meltzer.Mike Pont/Getty
The Kennedy siblings' uncle was President John F. Kennedy, Jr.
Robert is alongtime and outspoken opponent of vaccine science. In 2019, before theCOVID-19pandemic, he lobbied against a California state bill to limit medical exemptions from vaccinations without approval from a state public health officer.
Several of his family members alsopublished an op-edabout his views in 2019.
source: people.com
