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(2020) Covid-19 Pandemic
Forms of Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X) and YouTube. Tactics: Sharing news and updates about this new virus. People shared important information such as wearing masks, staying home and keeping a safe distance from other individuals. Social media kept many people informed, letting frontline workers alleviate this crisis. However, some negativity did arise by sharing hashtags such as #Covidiots or #plandemic, causing serious repercussions for other vulnerable individuals. -
(2020) Black Lives Matter (BLM)
Primary Forms of Social Media: Instagram and Facebook. Tactics: Posting black squares on social media to show solidarity and support for this movement, to which some people shared stories and testimonials online. This movement was amplified through #BlackOutTuesday. The Black Lives Matter movement was re-energized after the murder of George Floyd, reflecting on racism and inequality in the U.S and other parts of the world. -
(2021) January 6 United States Capitol Insurrection
Forms of Social Media: YouTube, Twitter (X), Facebook and Telegram. Tactics: Sharing videos, posts and other information on social media about a supposed rigged election that needed to be fixed by the forceful taking of the Capitol. Far-right groups used a deadly riot to push an extremist agenda of sedition, conspiracy theories and overthrowing of the government. -
(2023) Women’s March after Roe v Wade Overturned
Forms of Social Media: Twitter (X), Instagram and Facebook Tactics: Gathering supporters to protest after a year of abortion right overturn. Also, sharing stories online and spreading the message #prochoice and #Roeoverturned. Activists planned demonstrations across the US to mark the first anniversary of the supreme court decision in Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization. A ruling that overturned Roe v Wade, which protected the right to abortion. -
(2024) March 2024 Cuban Protests
Forms of Social Media: Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X and Facebook. Tactics: Sharing current social media videos, clips and posts about Cuba's social and democratic crisis. Social media reports the ongoing problems in Cuba, which are severely affecting the economic, social and cultural rights of all Cubans. It also called people in Santiago de Cuba, the country's second largest city, to protest about the electricity blackouts, acute shortages of food, medicine and other essential items. -
(2024) Social Media and the Bangladesh’s Student-Led Democratic Revolution
Forms of Social Media: Facebook, X, WhatsApp and Telegram. Tactics: Sharing and posting about the democratic and safety demands of their country; garnering support, evoking empathy and informing the world. Dhaka University student were sitting with placards and flags in a peaceful protest calling for reforms on the quota allocation for government jobs in Bangladesh, when suddenly, they were attacked. Abu Sayed, stood his ground, as the police closed in, he was shot directly in the chest.