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#WomenBoycottTwitter, Supporting Rose McGowan #WomenBoycottTwitter, Supporting Rose McGowan
(35 minutes later)
Activists, celebrities and journalists joined a boycott of Twitter on Friday to protest the social media platform’s suspending of the account of the actress Rose McGowan, a vocal critic of the film producer Harvey Weinstein over his alleged sexual harassment and assaults of women. Activists, celebrities and journalists joined a boycott of Twitter on Friday to protest the social media platform’s suspension of the account of the actress Rose McGowan, a fierce critic of the film producer Harvey Weinstein over his alleged sexual harassment and assaults of women.
The boycott started at midnight Thursday in New York and was set to last all day. Many of those who were taking part signified their participation with the hashtag #WomenBoycottTwitter. The boycott began at midnight Thursday in New York and was to last all day. Many of those taking part signified their participation with the hashtag #WomenBoycottTwitter.
The idea came from Kelly Ellis, a software engineer, who posted a message proposing that, in response to Ms. McGowan’s suspension, people should consider boycotting the platform. The idea came from Kelly Ellis, a software engineer.
“#WomenBoycottTwitter Friday, October 13th,” she wrote. “In solidarity w @rosemcgowan and all the victims of hate and harassment Twitter fails to support.” “#WomenBoycottTwitter Friday, October 13th,” Ms. Ellis wrote. “In solidarity w @rosemcgowan and all the victims of hate and harassment Twitter fails to support.”
Ms. McGowan said on Wednesday that Twitter had locked her account over what the company said were violations of its terms of service. Twitter did not initially explain its decision, but said later than it had temporarily suspended Ms. McGowan’s account because one of her messages had included a personal phone number in violation of its rules. While those joining the boycott said they were highlighting the wider issue of women being abused online, not everyone felt it was an appropriate form of protest.
By Thursday, the tweet in question had been removed and Ms. McGowan’s account has been unlocked after the tweet in question was removed. Ms. McGowan subsequently tagged Amazon’s chief executive, Jeff Bezos, in a Twitter post in which she said she had repeatedly told the head of Amazon’s movie studio that “HW raped me.”
While those boycotting Twitter over its move against Ms. McGowan said they were highlighting the wider issue of women being abused online, not everyone felt it was an appropriate form of protest.
“I understand the idea behind #WomenBoycottTwitter but I don’t personally agree that silence is the right protest to being silenced,” tweeted @kateleth.“I understand the idea behind #WomenBoycottTwitter but I don’t personally agree that silence is the right protest to being silenced,” tweeted @kateleth.
The director Ava DuVernay’s criticism was more pointed. She noted that women of color had not received similar support when they had problems on the platform. The director Ava DuVernay’s criticism was more pointed. She noted that minority women had not received similar support when they were subjected to abuse on Twitter.
“Calling white women allies to recognize conflict of #WomenBoycottTwitter for women of color who haven’t received support on similar issues,” wrote Ms. DuVernay, the director of “Selma,” who has criticized Hollywood for its lack of inclusivity.“Calling white women allies to recognize conflict of #WomenBoycottTwitter for women of color who haven’t received support on similar issues,” wrote Ms. DuVernay, the director of “Selma,” who has criticized Hollywood for its lack of inclusivity.
Among those joining the boycott were Ayssa Milano, Ms. McGowan’s co-star in the TV series “Charmed”; the model Chrissy Teigen; the actors John Cusack, Debra Messing, Anna Paquin and Mark Ruffalo; and the writer Cheryl Strayed. Ms. McGowan said Wednesday that Twitter had locked her account over what the company said were violations of its terms of service. Twitter did not initially explain its decision, but said later than it had temporarily suspended Ms. McGowan’s account because one of her messages had included a personal phone number in violation of its rules.
“I love this platform, but it’s time to do better. See you all in 24 hours,” tweeted Brianna Wu, a congressional candidate. By Thursday, the tweet in question had been removed and Ms. McGowan’s account has been unlocked. Ms. McGowan subsequently tagged Amazon’s chief executive, Jeff Bezos, in a Twitter post in which she said she had repeatedly told the head of Amazon’s movie studio that “HW raped me.”
. Among the famous names joining the boycott were Alyssa Milano, Ms. McGowan’s co-star in the TV series “Charmed”; the model Chrissy Teigen; the actors John Cusack, Debra Messing, Anna Paquin and Mark Ruffalo; and the writer Cheryl Strayed.
Another user, Suzy Tobin, tweeted that she would not be taking part because, as a victim of sexual assault, she wanted to be heard. “Because it happens too much & its frightening to speak up. But we have to start talking about it,” she added. Plenty of those participating in the protest came from outside the celebrity ranks.
“Not joining in on #WomenBoycottTwitter because I don’t see the point in silent protest. I believe in loud annoyance,” said a further user, @AineCarson1. Another encouraged women to raise their voices, tweeting that “being silent is sometimes the worst thing to do.” “I love this platform, but it’s time to do better. See you all in 24 hours,” wrote Brianna Wu, a congressional candidate in Massachusetts.
When asked to comment on Friday, a Twitter press officer pointed to the company’s statement about why it had locked Ms. McGowan’s account. For those who chose not to take part, there was a recurring theme: that keeping quiet was the wrong way to protest.
Ms. McGowan, who reached a $100,000 settlement with Mr. Weinstein after an incident in a hotel room at the Sundance Film Festival in 1997, has been vocal in her support of other women who have come forward with allegations that the producer sexually assaulted them. One user, Suzy Tobin, wrote that she would not be joining in because, as a victim of sexual assault, she wanted her voice to be heard. “Because it happens too much & its frightening to speak up. But we have to start talking about it,” she added.
On Tuesday, in response to the actor Ben Affleck condemning accusations against Mr. Weinstein, Ms. McGowan called Mr. Affleck a liar and claimed he had known of the producer’s actions. She also called out other Hollywood players for their silence on the matter, tweeting “You all knew.” “Not joining in on #WomenBoycottTwitter because I don’t see the point in silent protest. I believe in loud annoyance,” wrote another user, @AineCarson1.
Twitter has struggled in the past to find a balance in moderating content. It has tried to maintain free speech on its platform, but those efforts have sometimes allowed pseudonymous trolls to send abuse to other users. Contacted for comment on Friday, a Twitter press representative cited the company’s statement about why it had locked Ms. McGowan’s account.
The platform is also under pressure over fake accounts as lawmakers investigate Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election in the United States. Senator Mark Warner, vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said the company’s briefing for congressional investigators “showed an enormous lack of understanding from the Twitter team of how serious this issue is.” Ms. McGowan, who reached a $100,000 settlement with Mr. Weinstein after an episode in a hotel room at the Sundance Film Festival in 1997, has been vocal in her support of other women who have come forward to accuse the producer of sexually abuse.
Twitter’s problems with unsavory content have also put off potential buyers. Disney considered a bid for the platform, but passed; Twitter’s growing reputation as an arena where hate speech can flourish might have posed a problem for the larger brand. On Tuesday, in response to the actor Ben Affleck condemning the accusations against Mr. Weinstein, Ms. McGowan called Mr. Affleck a liar and said he had known about the producer’s actions. She also criticized other Hollywood figures for their silence on the matter, writing in one Twitter post, “You all knew.”
Twitter has struggled in the past to find a balance in moderating content on it platform. It has tried to adhere to principles of free speech, but its efforts have sometimes been undermined by pseudonymous trolls directing abuse at other users.
The company is under increasing scrutiny as lawmakers investigate how it was used as part of Russia’s effort to interfere in the presidential election last year. Senator Mark Warner, Democrat of Virginia and vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said that a briefing provided by the company to congressional investigators “showed an enormous lack of understanding from the Twitter team of how serious this issue is.”
Twitter’s problems with unsavory content have also put off potential buyers. Disney, for instance, considered making a bid for the company, but ultimately opted not to.