Activist around the globe are coming together to support the Black Lives Matter movement, especially in light of recent events, however, the COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult for some (like those with compromised immune systems) to participate at the protests in person—cue a new virtual protest format.
The London-based Black Lives Matter organization organized a Zoom protest on Sunday, June 6th, 2020 with over 22,000 online protesters. The virtual protest included live speakers including George The Poet, writer Rob Berkeley (from BlackOutUK), writer and producer Siana Bangura (from BLM UK), and Apollo Sankara (from LDN BLM). The protest included a call-to-action to encourage activists to continue practicing allyship, self-educate, and donate because "it takes a system to topple systems."
Empowering Virtual Protests
The London-Based BLM Organization Launched a Virtual Protest
Trend Themes
1. Virtual Protests - Virtual protests could become a new trend for activists who are unable to participate in-person due to various factors.
2. Online Activism - Online activism could become the new norm, since it enables people from diverse locations to participate in movements at the same time, in great numbers.
3. Virtual Support Networks - Virtual support networks could become a new trend, as it enables people to stay connected while advocating for social change.
Industry Implications
1. Activism - Organizations focused on activism could harness the power of technology to create virtual campaigns and events.
2. Technology - Technology can be used to bring large numbers of people together and keep them connected, which could lead to new virtual event platforms.
3. Social Networking - Social networking sites provide an opportunity for people to connect with like-minded individuals, which could lead to the creation of new social groups focused on social activism.