A well known conservative activist in Arlington, Texas, who peddled COVID-19 vaccine misinformation has died of issues brought on by the virus—only a few weeks after attending a “symposium” in opposition to the pictures.
The Arlington Republican Occasion confirmed the passing of Kelly Canon on Fb.
“One other tragedy and loss for our Republican household. Our pricey pal Kelly Canon misplaced her battle with pneumonia as we speak. Kelly will likely be eternally in our hearts as a loyal and beloved pal and Patriot. Gone means too quickly We are going to hold her household in our prayers,” the Arlington Republican Membership stated in a assertion.
Pals and colleagues of the Republican determine flooded social media with tributes on Tuesday, lamenting what they stated was her dying “from COVID-related pneumonia.”
“I Had simply texted together with her yesterday and she or he stated she was doing properly, preventing off this rattling Covid in each of her lungs that changed into double pneumonia, so I'm fairly shocked to get this information,” wrote one pal who recognized herself as Jennifer Talbert Frank.
“I'm really heartbroken to study that my pricey pal Kelly Canon has handed away from issues from Covid pneumonia. Simply yesterday round 4pm she advised a bunch of buddies that she undoubtedly felt higher and that the docs had advised her she had ‘turned the nook’ with improved blood take a look at outcomes. She was speaking about wanting to return residence. Later final evening she developed an acute belly difficulty, was given ache meds and placed on the ventilator,” wrote Maggie Clopton Wright.
Canon had introduced on Fb in November that her employer granted her a spiritual exemption for the COVID-19 vaccine.
“No jabby-jabby for me! Reward GOD!” she wrote on the time.
Canon was outstanding in Republican circles for her grassroots organizing and marketing campaign to ban purple mild cameras in Arlington. She additionally made headlines in 2017 for going public about sexually specific pictures allegedly despatched to her by then-GOP Rep. Joe Barton, a scandal which in the end resulted in Barton stepping down.
Extra lately, Canon had been an outspoken critic of COVID-19 vaccine mandates and pandemic-related restrictions. In certainly one of her ultimate Fb posts, Canon shared a number of hyperlinks to speeches she attended at a “COVID symposium” in Burleson in early December dedicated to dissuading folks from getting the COVID-19 vaccines which can be at present out there. The occasion was organized by God Save Our Youngsters, which payments itself as “a conservative group that's preventing in opposition to the usage of experimental vaccines on our youngsters.”
Canon had shared related content material on Twitter, the place her most up-to-date publish was a YouTube video that includes claims that the coronavirus pandemic was “deliberate” upfront and a part of a worldwide conspiracy.
As information of her dying unfold Tuesday, pro-vaccine commentators flooded her Fb web page with merciless feedback and mocking memes, whereas her supporters unironically praised her for being a “warrior for liberty” to the very finish.