#WomenBoycottTwitter: There’s Now A Big Protest To Rose McGowan’s Suspension
It has some people divided.
In the latest turn in the Weinstein scandal, people are now calling for a day-long boycott of Twitter on Friday October 13 (US time) in response to the suspension of Rose McGowan’s account.
McGowan has been one of the most public detractors of Weinstein since allegations of his sexual misconduct surfaced, encouraging her #ROSEARMY to join her in criticising people who enabled, covered up or defended the alleged abuse.
Her Twitter account was suspended for 12 hours yesterday for supposedly violating its community standards, which many interpreted as being linked to her fierce criticism of Ben Affleck and others. Twitter has since told The Guardian the suspension was due to McGowan tweeting a private phone number, which is against Twitter’s terms of service.
Hey @Twitter let us know which of these rules @rosemcgowan broke. Asking for multiple victims of sexual violence. https://t.co/eiZjQeMAVg
— Jessica Chastain (@jes_chastain) October 12, 2017
Actors Anna Paquin, Alyssa Milano, and John Cusack are among those who’ve thrown their support behind the boycott, which is intended to show solidarity with survivors of abuse and protest Twitter’s silencing of McGowan and other survivors who speak out.
Twitter has faced frequent criticism for failing to address the torrents of abusive comments directed at women, minorities and those who speak out against abuse.
Individuals opting out doesn't seem to make a dent. What if #WomenBoycottTwitter for one day (along with men who stand with us?)
— Kelly Ellis (@justkelly_ok) October 12, 2017
Also, any men who wish to show their support for .@rosemcgowan and all the other victims please join #WomenBoycottTwitter #boycotttwitter
— Anna Paquin (@AnnaPaquin) October 13, 2017
Tomorrow (Friday the 13th) will be the first day in over 10 years that I won’t tweet. Join me. #WomenBoycottTwitter pic.twitter.com/xoEt5Bwj5s
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) October 13, 2017
While the boycott is receiving widespread support, a number of people have voiced concerns with the effectiveness of removing voices from a platform to protest the silencing of victims’ voices. Several women of colour have also pointed out that they have been experiencing and calling out harassment on and off Twitter for years, and that this kind of snap action in response to a high-profile white woman being banned does very little to support them.
Calling white women allies to recognize conflict of #WomenBoycottTwitter for women of color who haven't received support on similar issues.
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) October 13, 2017
This thread by writer Eve Ewing is well worth a read on that note:
You know who faces the most harassment #onhere. Consistently. For years. Harassment that spills over in scary ways into real life.
— wikipedia brown (@eveewing) October 13, 2017
What happened with Rose McGowan being suspended was wrong. Unequivocally wrong. But if that's what activated your awareness, I don't especially trust you.
— wikipedia brown (@eveewing) October 13, 2017
Interesting thing about [intersectional] feminism: what's radical for one might be regressive for another.
In this case, silence. For women of color, maybe… that might work differently for us as a strategy? Or, say, not work?
— wikipedia brown (@eveewing) October 13, 2017
Those participating in the boycott have been tweeting their support with the hashtag #WomenBoycottTwitter before logging off for 24 hours. People of all genders are encouraged to support the boycott as allies.