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Kim Kardashian and other celebs join one day boycott of Instagram and Facebook

The movement was spurred by the recent shooting in Kenosha.
September 16, 2020 10:51 a.m. EST
September 19, 2020 12:00 a.m. EST
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Facebook is facing major backlash for its continued practice of not removing hate groups from its social media sites. President Mark Zuckerberg, who owns both Facebook and Instagram, has said that the organization is doing their best to ensure that hateful propaganda and false information is not allowed to spread on its platform, but after the deaths of two protesters in Kenosha, many users, including several celebrities, have banded together with civil rights organizations to help put an end to the company’s neglectful and dangerous practices.The Stop Hate for Profit coalition was organized by nine civil rights and advocacy organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League, the NAACP, Color of Change, the National Hispanic Media Coalition, the Free Press and Common Sense Media. In July, the organization amassed a group of 1,200 small businesses and organizations that agreed to pause their advertising on Facebook to send a message that the company can no longer value “profits over hate, bigotry, racism, anti-Semitism, and disinformation.”The group’s latest efforts include organizing a Week of Action that began on September 14 and included followers sharing messaging about the “harms that Facebook is inflicting on our society and the importance of voting.” For the September 16 action item, users are encouraged to freeze their Instagram and Facebook by not posting anything on the social media platforms.Stop Hate For Profit’s Week of Action was propelled by the tragic shooting in Kenosha. Following the attack of Jacob Blake, a Black man who was shot seven times in the back by an on-duty police officer, protests erupted in the Wisconsin city. A 17-year-old found a hate group through Facebook and was encouraged to attend the protests illegally armed, eventually shooting three protesters and killing two men. Zuckerberg apologized for Facebook’s role in the double murder and admitted that several users had reported the page, which remained active until the shooting.Several celebrities have voiced their support for the movement.Kim Kardashian West, one of the most influential users of Instagram, has built her million-dollar beauty and shapewear businesses solely through advertising on her personal social media pages. Linking her 188 million followers to the Stop Hate for Profit page, Kardashian wrote that she will be freezing her accounts on September 16. “I love that I can connect directly with you through Instagram and Facebook, but I can’t sit by and stay silent while these platforms continue to allow the spreading of hate, propaganda and misinformation - created by groups to sow division and split America apart – only to take steps after people are killed,” wrote Kardashian. “Misinformation shared on social media has a serious impact on our elections and undermines our democracy.”
Actor Sacha Baron Cohen, who has been outspoken about Facebook’s role in spreading propaganda, shared an image taken earlier this year of Zuckerberg surfing in Hawaii. “The only thing more terrifying than Mark Zuckerberg surfing in whiteface...Is the white supremacy and lies Facebook spreads every day,” wrote Cohen.
Kerry Washington shared an article by The Guardian about the dangers of spreading misinformation online, writing “It’s up to us to do our research and make sure what we’re sharing is correct information. It’s up to Facebook and other social platforms to stop the amplification of hate and the undermining of democracy.” Olivia Wilde reminded her followers that without their engagement, Facebook would not continue to be a profitable organization. “They need you. That means you’re in control,” wrote Wilde. “You can demand they change their standards, and stop amplifying hate. It’s time we cut the bullshit and pay attention to the wildfire of disinformation and hatred fueled by social media. Raising standards to require basic TRUTH does not put an end to free speech. Facts matter. The truth matters.”Referencing Zuckerberg’s apology after the company ‘mistakenly’ left the Kenosha Militia page active, Jennifer Lawrence tweeted “Facebook ignores hate & disinformation on their site. This is not an ‘operational mistake.’” Demi Lovato, who has shown the positive power of social media by using her platform to support mental health initiatives and amplify the voices of Black activists and leaders, said she won’t be posting on September 16. “All of the false information being spread right now is doing so much harm,” wrote Lovato to her 93.2 million Instagram followers.
Actor Julianne Moore accused Facebook of purposely encouraging the violent spread of hatred. “This isn’t happening accidentally,” wrote Moore. “They recommend users join and follow hateful groups and pages.”
 
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#StopHateForProfit #Instafreeze

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Hi Guys— social media influencer and thirst trap post machine Nick Kroll here letting you know that I’ll be joining @naacp, @colorofchange, and many of my friends in an #Instafreeze tomorrow where I won’t be posting or using the app. Tomorrow’s a day off in recognition that @facebook and @instagram have an opportunity to step it up and stop hate and disinformation from spreading like wildfire on their platforms. These are complicated problems to solve and the solutions often mean making less money, but as a starting point Facebook can work with these organizations to create meaningful change that keeps the community safer and better for all of us. Head over to my Myspace and TikTom tomorrow for all the good stuff. #StopHateForProfit

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I’m standing with the country’s leading civil rights organizations - including Color Of Change, the ADL -...Posted by Leonardo DiCaprio on Monday, September 14, 2020
Let's work together in making Facebook and Instagram a better, safer, platform for all. Please join in me in not posting for 24 hours this Wednesday, September 16. #StopHateForProfitPosted by Michael Bublé on Tuesday, September 15, 2020
The latest effort by celebrities to help stop the spread of hate and misinformation on social media has received some pushback, with accusations that the efforts are simply performative activism, with some critics arguing that one day of account freezing won’t make a real impact. Jim Steyer, the chief executive of Common Sense Media, spoke to The New York Times about the Week of Action and said that Stop Hate for Profit hopes this week’s show of solidarity will not only inform the general public about the dangers of social media, but also encourage Facebook employees to make changes from the inside. “You’re starting to see employees of Facebook speaking out and whistle-blowers within the company,” said Steyer. “You want to look back at your career and say, ‘I helped undermine American democracy?’ I hope not.”[video_embed id='2035452']BEFORE YOU GO: How this viral TikTok family is using their platform to spread autism awareness [/video_embed]

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