The psychological traits of true believers in mass movements can be observed in the followers of contemporary political figures like Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Barack Obama, and Bernie Sanders.
Social media platforms are central tools in organizing, amplifying, and documenting protest movements, including both legal demonstrations and acts of civil disobedience. Their influence extends to nearly every phase of modern activism.
Key Functions of Social Media in Protests
Organization and Mobilization
Rapid Communication: Platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, WhatsApp, and Telegram enable instant alerts and updates to large audiences.
Event Coordination: Details about protest times, locations, and changes can be distributed quickly.
Recruitment: Movements reach new supporters, often beyond traditional activist circles.
Information Sharing
Education: Infographics, videos, and threads explain protest goals, legal rights, and safety tips.
Real-Time Updates: Live streams and posts provide on-the-ground news, especially when mainstream media coverage is lacking.
Resource Distribution: Legal aid contacts, medical help, or transportation details are easily shared.
Public Awareness and Narrative Control
Framing the Message: Movements can frame their demands and actions, independently of government or traditional media narratives.
Viral Content: Hashtags and viral posts can bring national or global attention to local issues quickly.
Documentation and Evidence
Recording Events: Videos and photos document both peaceful protest and any incidents of violence or repression.
Accountability: Livestreams and real-time sharing can deter misconduct by authorities and provide evidence for legal defense.
Solidarity and Morale
Community Building: Supporters express solidarity, encourage one another, and build a sense of collective purpose.
International Support: Protests in one country can inspire or support similar movements elsewhere. Risks and Challenges
Surveillance and Infiltration
Monitoring: Law enforcement may monitor public posts or infiltrate private groups.
Data Collection: Social media data can be used in prosecutions or to target activists.
Disinformation and Smear Campaigns
False Narratives: Opponents may spread misinformation or attempt to discredit the movement.
Trolling and Harassment: Activists may face online abuse or threats.
Privacy Concerns
Doxxing: Personal information may be exposed.
Platform Policies: Posts or accounts can be removed, limiting reach or erasing documentation. Best Practices for Protesters on Social Media
Use Encrypted Messaging Apps: For sensitive coordination, prefer Signal, Telegram (private chats), or similar platforms.
Limit Location Sharing: Disable geotags and avoid posting live locations unless necessary.
Use Pseudonyms: Protect personal identity where possible.
Fact-Check Information: Prevent spread of rumors or unverified claims.
Backup Important Content: Download key videos/photos in case accounts are suspended or content is removed. Conclusion
Social media is a double-edged sword: It empowers protest movements with unprecedented coordination and amplification, but also exposes activists to risks. Effective protest training now always includes a section on digital security, smart communication, and narrative control through social media.
With millions of people marching in the streets across the United States and 10,000 – 20,000 marching here in Spokane this would make a good topic for our local newspapers, comma and social media. It would also be an opportunity to disseminate strategic conversations across the nation.
The marchers are asking a fundamental question: How do we preserve democracy when so many of our neighbors seem willing to trade it for the promise of security?
It appears that there is a great deal of fear dividing our country in two. Why these fears, what needs to be done, and how can we do it? What do our readers think? What does our community think? What do others think?
This is a three part series. The first part describes the fears and what needs to be done to address them. The second part addresses why Black people should resist the loss of democracy, the third part deals with what needs to be done. Later articles can follow the progress of the Spokane fight for democracy.
The articles discuss various evidence-based approaches to enhance democratic resilience and social cohesion at government, institutional, and individual levels. They highlight the importance of economic interventions, leadership strategies, educational reforms, media responsibility, and personal engagement. The text outlines measures for specific demographic concerns while emphasizing the need for systemic changes and the importance of measuring success. Key factors for success include authenticity, inclusivity, patience, consistency, local focus, and bipartisan support.
Feedback from social media posts and interactions can be used to invite them to remove the fear, save democracy and participate in building a better community they want to live in.
Read the first article in the Fighting Fear series:
This song inspired by Curtis Mayfield’s song of the 60’s is meant to bring unity, courage, and hope to challenging times.
People stay ready, there’s a movement to start, Bring your courage, your fire, your heart. You don’t need permission, just take your stand, The power’s in the people, hand in hand.
The chains might rattle, but they won’t hold tight, When love and resistance shine through the night. Truth’s our engine, hope the tracks we ride, We’ll break through the darkness, side by side.
Influential Figures in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Life
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was deeply influenced by several individuals whose ideas, actions, and philosophies shaped his worldview and leadership in the civil rights movement. Here are some of the most notable figures:
Mahatma Gandhi
Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolent resistance (Satyagraha) profoundly influenced Dr. King. Gandhi’s success in leading India to independence through peaceful civil disobedience inspired King to adopt nonviolence as the cornerstone of the civil rights movement in the United States. King once said, “Gandhi was the guiding light of our technique of nonviolent social change”.
Jesus Christ
As a Baptist minister, King was deeply rooted in Christian theology. He drew inspiration from Jesus’ teachings on love, forgiveness, and turning the other cheek. These principles underpinned his commitment to nonviolence and his belief in the moral power of love to overcome hate.
Henry David Thoreau
Thoreau’s essay Civil Disobedience introduced King to the idea of resisting unjust laws through nonviolent means. King admired Thoreau’s argument that individuals have a moral duty to disobey laws that are unjust.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Emerson’s writings on self-reliance and individualism resonated with King, particularly in his belief that individuals could bring about social change through moral courage and personal responsibility.
Howard Thurman
Thurman, a theologian and mentor to King, emphasized the importance of spirituality in social justice. His book Jesus and the Disinherited provided a theological framework for King’s activism, focusing on the empowerment of oppressed communities.
Benjamin E. Mays
Mays, the president of Morehouse College, was a mentor to King and instilled in him the importance of education, leadership, and moral integrity. Mays’ emphasis on social justice and equality deeply influenced King’s vision for the civil rights movement
A. Philip Randolph
Randolph, a labor leader and civil rights activist, inspired King with his organizational skills and commitment to racial equality. Randolph’s leadership in the March on Washington Movement demonstrated the power of collective action.
Bayard Rustin
Rustin was a key advisor to King and helped him strategize the use of nonviolent protest. Rustin’s organizational skills were instrumental in planning events like the 1963 March on Washington.
Paul Tillich
Tillich, a theologian, influenced King’s understanding of existentialism and the role of faith in addressing social injustice. His writings helped King articulate the moral and spiritual dimensions of the civil rights struggle.
Reinhold Niebuhr
Niebuhr’s philosophy of Christian realism influenced King’s understanding of the complexities of human nature and the necessity of confronting evil through collective action.
10 People Whose Lives Were Changed by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. King’s leadership and vision inspired countless individuals to take action for justice and equality. Here are ten people whose lives were directly influenced by him:
John Lewis
Lewis, a young activist during the civil rights movement, was inspired by King’s leadership and became a prominent figure in the movement. He later served as a U.S. Congressman, continuing King’s legacy of fighting for civil rights.
Rosa Parks
Parks credited King’s leadership and the Montgomery Bus Boycott with giving her the courage to stand up against racial injustice, which sparked the modern civil rights movement.
Andrew Young
Young worked closely with King in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and later became a U.S. Congressman, ambassador to the United Nations, and mayor of Atlanta.
James Lawson
Lawson, a key figure in the civil rights movement, was inspired by King’s commitment to nonviolence and became a leading trainer in nonviolent resistance.
Coretta Scott King
As King’s wife, Coretta was deeply influenced by his vision and continued his work after his assassination, becoming a prominent activist for civil rights and peace.
Barack Obama
While Obama was born after the height of the civil rights movement, he often cited King’s work as a source of inspiration for his own journey into public service and his vision for a more inclusive America.
Jesse Jackson
Jackson was a close associate of King and became a prominent civil rights leader in his own right, founding the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition to continue King’s work.
Bernice King
King’s youngest daughter, Bernice, was inspired by her father’s legacy and became a minister and advocate for nonviolence and social justice.
Oprah Winfrey
Winfrey has often spoken about how King’s work paved the way for her success as a Black woman in media and inspired her commitment to philanthropy and social justice.
Nelson Mandela
Mandela, though leading the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, was inspired by King’s philosophy of nonviolence and his fight against racial oppression.
Dr. King’s influence extended far beyond these individuals, shaping the course of history and inspiring millions worldwide to work for justice, equality, and peace.
