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In September 2015, activists took to Twitter in support of Planned Parenthood. Many told their own abortion stories while others told of procedures for cancer screenings and birth control that occurred at Planned Parenthood sites across the nation. This is an ongoing controversy with Planned Parenthood funds sitting precariously in the government. This campaign took to the streets but was just as prevalent on social media platforms.
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Social media has become a useful tool for keeping friends and family in touch but it has also become more useful than this. From the police using Twitter to get their messages out after the Boston Marathon bombing to the George Floyd Protests, social media encapsulates news of the world.
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In October 2017, Alyssa Milano sent out a tweet that would further the fire of the #metoo movement. Women across the world used social media platforms to tell their stories of sexual assault. Eventually men also told their stories. Social media was used to organize protests and high profile celebrities, i.e. Bill Cosby, Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, began losing their jobs and being charged with rape and/or sexual assault.
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In January 2017, women took to the streets to march for the rights of women, and others, in peaceful protest of Donald Trump's inauguration as he is seen as a sexual predator and anti-woman by many. This protest was held in major cities across the country and has been held every year since. This was introduced on Facebook and quickly took off on other platforms. Currently, it is most popular through Facebook and Instagram and protests have occurred yearly.
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In March 2018, after yet another horrific school shooting, students took to the streets of Washington DC and various other cities across the nation to protest gun laws. This brought back #VegasStrong and so many other stories of gun violence. All platforms of social media was used for this movement whether arguing for gun rights or for tighter gun laws. Protests were also organized there.
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May 2020 caused an explosive reaction after the death of a black man at the hands of a white police officer. Violent protests erupted across the nation and further protests occurred worldwide. These protests were formed using all forms of social media from Twitter to Facebook, to apps such as Telegram. There were many tactics used from Blackout Tuesday to the protests heard worldwide. It is an ongoing issue, though not as loudly heard today.
