Grievance-based social movement mobilization in the #Ferguson Twitter storm

Abstract

Existing literature on collective action suggests that social protest activity is often driven by structural out-group grievances. This article explores how a framework of grievance-based social movement participation applies to the digital media realm and how social media are reshaping the protest landscape. Our research looks specifically at the case of the #Ferguson Twitter storm that occurred in November 2014. During a 3-week period, over 6 million tweets were sent with the indicator #Ferguson. We examine the statistics and content of those tweets to show that the Ferguson Twitter storm was driven to an enormous volume by four key mobilizers. Tweet content included structural out-group grievances that reflect established expectations about drivers of social movements and protests. In contrast to the emphasis on violence by traditional mass media, online social movement participants emphasized peace, especially after the conflict escalated and rioting in the streets began.

Discussion and mediation of social outrage on Twitter: The reaction to the judicial sentence of "La Manada"

“…It also facilitates intersectionality within the movement since it can create spaces where counterpublics can join forces (Kim, 2017;Loza, 2014). At the same time, social networks pose difficulties for the feminist movement, as well as for all social movements (Kay LeFebvre & Armstrong, 2018;Tufekci, 2013), relating to the architecture and ecology of these platforms. Caro-Castaño (2015) warns of the presence of a digital feminism closer to neoliberal tendencies that tends towards individualism and the perception of collectivity only for a specific purpose, creating "light collectivities" (Zafra, 2010) and hindering social development.…”

From “thank god for helping this person” to “libtards really jumped the shark”: Opinion leaders and (in)civility in the wake of school shootings

“…We contribute to this literature by assessing the relative importance of opinion leaders (aka “influencers,” “broadcasters,” and “hashtag entrepreneurs”), who are centrally located or have a lot of social capital in online networks, to civility in narrative construction on Twitter after school shootings. Opinion leaders are important to narrative construction because they reach a critical mass of users, effectively spread information across social media platforms, and shape how other forum users discuss issues and events (LeFebvre and Armstrong, 2018; Valente and Davis, 1999).…”

Tweet your #Mo and save a Bro

“…Notably, the focus is on the role of identity in collective action and CMC's impact on identity processes during collective action. Chapter 2 answers the following research questions: have argued in favor of combining motivational and structural factors to understand the mechanisms driving people's engagement in collective action via social media (Gerbaudo & Treré, 2015;Haciyakupoglu & Zhang, 2015;Kende, van Zomeren, Ujhelyi, & Lantos, 2016;LeFebvre & Armstrong, 2016;Thomas et al, 2015, Chapter 2 of this dissertation). While social identity provides people with motivation to participate in campaigns (van Zomeren, Postmes, & Spears, 2008), occupying a certain position in the communication network provides opportunities to mobilize (Bennett & Segerberg, 2012;Bimber et al, 2005;González-Bailón & Wang, 2016).…”

“…Second, scholars find that identity alone might not be sufficient to predict collective action via CMC (T2). Some authors argue that people's use of CMC maintains an individual's social identification with online groups or communities due to in-group norms for emotion, efficacy and action that are reinforced online (Chan, 2014;Haciyakupoglu & Zhang, 2015;Hitt, Gidley, Smith, & Liang, 2015;LeFebvre & Armstrong, 2016;Park & Yang, 2012;Thomas et al, 2015), in particular when people use CMC in an interactive way (Alberici & Milesi, 2013;Kende et al, 2016). Consequently, online social identity strengthens people's willingness to participate in collective action on behalf of the group both online and offline.…”

“…Scholars studying online mobilization dynamics argue in favor of combining motivational and structural factors in order to explain the mechanisms driving people's engagement in collective action via social media (Gerbaudo & Treré, 2015;Kende et al, 2016;LeFebvre & Armstrong, 2016, Chapter 2 of this dissertation), in particular when it requires some effort, such as volunteering or collecting donations for social causes (Bekkers & Wiepking, 2011). In social movement research, collecting donations is considered an active form of participation that requires a financial contribution involving some risk and effort (Garrett, 2006;Van Laer & Van Aelst, 2010).…”