Online Activist Movements

Politics and Society Citizenship Project- Anika Sheehan & Mmaeze Amaeze

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Summary

Our Key Findings:

In terms of the online activist movements we researched, 50% of participants were familiar with the Anonymous Hacker Group and agreed with the views of this group the most. Mass Resistance was not known among the participants while 12.5% of participants were aware of a voice for men.

78.2% of participants believe in the ability of an individual or group holding people in positions of power to account through any means possible.

54.2% of recipients think the internet should not be censored to protect people from “harmful” ideologies.

91.7% of participants approved of the results of the 2015 Marriage Equality Referendum

66.7% of recipients support Transgender rights

54.2% of participants did not support the Men’s Rights movement.

66.7% of participants believe Toxic Masculinity is prevalent in our society.

We learnt that Online Activism isn't as influential among young people as we had expected. We found that young people's opinions were not shaped through public orators, but rather their own personal experiences and that they were able to come to their own conclusion based upon critical thought and not blindly following the content they were engaging with.

Despite having interactions with the chosen online activist movements they were not necessarily inclined to believe in what they were sharing. We did see on occasion some influence seeping through but it was not the majority. When the topic of speakers relevant to the discussion of our online activist movements, we saw recurring names such as: Andrew Tate for Men's Rights Activism and LGBTQIA rights.

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Interview Results

We interviewed 2 respondents to see if the online activist movements are influencing the younger generation and the extent to which they are contributing to political change in todays world, and if not, what are the influences that are taking place.

Censorship

Question 1: When asked the question: ‘Do you believe in the ability of an individual or group holding people in positions of power to account through any means possible? (e.g. hacking, exposés, etc.)’, you responded: ‘No’. Do you mind sharing why you believe this?

Respondent 1:

(Paraphrasing) Too much power for someone outside of the judicial system to have.

They should do it through legal means. Information is classified for a reason.

Respondent 2:

(Paraphrasing) Bad individuals at the top of society are not held to account by ordinary means of reporting. “Media has limits”.

Mentioned ISIS, 2015 being exposed by Anonymous hacker group

It holds people to account, and through regular means, it is a good thing.

Whistleblowers should be protected.

Question 2: Have you ever seen the topic of censorship being discussed online? 

Respondent 1:

Yes, Censorship in North Korea and China. Believes from their point of view it’s justified. But doesn’t support it nor oppose it.

Respondent 2:

No

However, respondent mentioned ‘The Great Firewall of China’, Russia, Iran, and “potentially more” countries that censor their media.

Question 3: Have you ever seen the topic of censorship being discussed in any other form of media? (books, film, music, etc.)

Respondent 1:

Yes (films, book), but sees them as only fiction and doesn’t take them with a grain of salt. Eg, Casablanca, made  clear the movie was propaganda, rules that out as a reliable source. Persepolis, set in Afghanistan (checkagain), by a woman who lived there at the time and about taliban. Would give it more credibility because it was autobiographical.

Respondent 2:

No, they didn’t think so. But he mentioned ‘Don't F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer’ documentary on Netflix & Russian hackers?

LGBTQIA+

Question 1: When asked the question: ‘Do you believe in the ability of an individual or group holding people in positions of power to account through any means possible? (e.g. hacking, exposés, etc.)’, you responded: ‘Yes’. Do you mind sharing why you believe this?

Respondent 1:

Believes people can marry who they want, and doesn’t mind.

Respondent 2:

“Gay people are people” → claimed this statement was “rudimentary” and elaborated: “People shouldn’t have their right to marriage removed. You’re just oppressing an already marginalized group.”

Question 2: Have you ever seen the topic of LGBTQIA+ rights being discussed online?

Respondent 1:

Comment sections in reactions to news or sport events. 

Sport events: Semenya

Hormone levels shouldn’t dictate gender.

Change sports to include people of all genders.

News: Articles about trans people not being real and too many genders. Been exposed to LGBT more than the older generation and is more accustomed to it.

Respondent 2:

Twitter comments accusing gay people of grooming → American conservatives are the loudest

Mentioned the ‘Bud Light’ controversy and had a good knowledge on the topic

Didn't support the beliefs

Mouthpieces who agree: Matt Walsh, Steven Crowder, Ben Shapiro, Andrew Tate, (Daily Wire)

Mouthpieces who spoke against: Hasanabi & Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Men's Rights

Question 1: When asked the question: ‘What is your opinion on Men’s rights ( The men's rights movement rejects the concept that men are privileged relative to women.)’, you responded: ‘I don't know enough to give a fully informed opinion, but from my understanding so far it seems unnecessarily defensive’. Do you mind sharing why you believe this?

Respondent 1:

Not at a place in society where women have more rights than men. Doesn’t believe women will have more rights than men any time soon.

Respondent 2:

A lot of these people equate women speaking out/wanting rights as a personal attack.” 

He called them Fragile in general”

“It’s not a woman’s world at all.”

The people pushing this movement (het cis white men) are the most privileged and set beliefs upon others

They need a sense of power - don’t want to feel weak

“Putting old world beliefs in a world that’s rapidly changing.”

Mentioned stonewall and the suffragette movement

“A woman gave birth to you.”

Question 2: Have you ever seen the topic of men’s rights activism being discussed online? 

Respondent 1:

Yes: Andrew Tate, other podcasts, tend to skip past it.

Doesn’t support it, sees it as backwards.

Respondent 2:

Yes: Andrew Tate, Steven Crowder

Mouthpieces who spoke against: Hasanabi & Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

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Survey

We created a survey in our school to see just how influential the ideals of these movements are on young people.

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4.2% of respondents were in 1st year

4.2% of respondents were in 4th year

50% of respondents were in 5th year

41.7% of respondents were in 6th year

4.2% of respondents were 12-13 years old

58.3% of respondents were 16-17 years old

37.5% of respondents were 18+ years old

50% of respondents were Male

45.8% of respondents were Female

4.2% of respondents were Non Binary

4.2% of respondents are Asian (Mid east) or Asian (Mid east) Irish

8.3% of respondents are Black or Black Irish African

12.5% of respondents are Asian (Southeast) or Asian (Southeast) Irish

29.2% of respondents are Other White Background

45.8% of respondents are White Irish

25% of participants lived in a rural area

75% of participants lived in an urban area

Censorship of Media

4.2% of participants believed international digital media is extremely censored

62.5% of participants believed international digital media is relatively censored

20.8% of participants believed international digital media is somewhat censored/ uncensored.

12.5% of participants believed international digital media is relatively uncensored.

0% of participants believe international digital media is extremely uncensored.

29.2% of recipients think the internet should be censored to protect people from "harmful" idelogies

54.2% of recipients think the internet should not be censored to protect people from "harmful" ideologies.

16.8% of recipients picked the other option:.

"Hate should be censored nothing else"

"To a certain extent"

"No, but perhaps we should be aware of younger people, particularly children and preteens, and their presence on most platforms. Some sort of age restriction could be useful"

"It depends as censoring would prevent these ideologies from gaining attraction, but also people, like myself, want information based on these ideologies.

79.2% of respondents believe censorship limits an individuals's ability to create their own beliefs.

16.7% of respondents believe censorship doesn't limit an individuals's ability to create their own beliefs.

4.2% of respondents picked other:

"While I do believe it does, the benefits of censoring content dedicated to spreading hateful messages outweighs the cons of such"

73.9% of participants believe in the ability of an an individual or group holding people in positions of power to account through any means possible.

21.7% of participants do not believe in the ability of an an individual or group holding people in positions of power to account through any means possible.

4.3% of participants picked other:

"Depends if the person in power deserves to be exposed"

LGBTQIA Rights +

91.7% of participants approved of the results of the 2015 Marriage Equality Referendum

8.3% of participants disapproved of the results of the 2015 Marriage Equality Referendum

62.5% of respondents believe that the amount of people openly identifying as members of the LGBTQIA+ community has increased in their lifetime.

29.2% of respondents believe that the amount of people openly identifying as members of the LGBTQIA+ community has relatively increased in their lifetime.

8.3% of respondents believe that the amount of people openly identifying as members of the LGBTQIA+ community has stayed the same in their lifetime.

66.7% of recipients support Transgender rights

20.8% of recipients are not entirely sure.

12.5% of recipients do not support Transgender rights.

62.5% of participants believe in other transgender identities that fall under the non-binary umbrella.

33.3% of participants do not believe in other transgender identities that fall under the non-binary umbrella.

4.2% of participants were uncertain.

79.2% of respondents believe in bisexuality/ pansexuality

20.8% of respondents do not believe in bisexuality/ pansexuality

Men's Rights

Regarding the opinions on Men's rights

16.6% of recipients approved of Men's Rights Activism.

54.2% of recipients disapproved of Men's Rights Activism.

25% of recipients were not too sure or agreed with some aspects whilst rejecting others

4.2% of recipients had no opinion

66.7% of participants believe Toxic Masculinity is prevalent in our society.

12.5% of participants do not believe Toxic Masculinity is prevelant in our society.

8.3% of participants were unsure.

12.5% of participants agreed that Toxic Masculinity is real but not prevalent in our society.

58.3% of respondents believe men and women are intrinsically different in their values and behaviours.

25% of respondents don't believe men and women are intrinsically different in their values and behaviours.

16.8% of respondents picked other:

"To a very small degree, but mostly not"

"Yes but it does not mean they should be treated differently"

"Yes, but mainly how society has created these identities, rather than being a biological difference in how we act"

"I believe that every human behaviour can be taught, sexism and male supremacy are all taught, they are not natural"

29.2% of recipients believe that the Irish state favours women over men in legal disputes.

45.8% of recipients believe that the Irish state doesn't favour women over men in legal disputes.

22% of recipients were not sure on the topic.

50% of participants had heard of the Anonymous Hacker Group

12.5% of participants had heard of A Voice for Men.

0% of participants had heard of Mass Resistance.

37.5% of participants had heard of None of these movements.

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A Voice for Men

A Voice for Men is an online publication founded in 2009 by Paul Elam. Based in Houston, Texas.

Their editorial position is profoundly anti-feminist and misogynistic in nature, claiming women to be lesser and feminists being outright misandrists.

According to the ‘Voice for Men’ website, their main objectives are:

“To eliminate gynocentrism and male disposability.”

“To resolve certain issues facing men and boys.”

“To achieve equality of opportunity for all. To oppose enforcement of gender roles.”

Objectives

A Voice for Men has the following objectives. A Voice for Men further asserts that these are core objectives of the entire men’s rights move

Their website details that they “reject enforcement of gender roles, not the roles themselves.” and “this includes roles generally regarded as traditional in which the man works and the woman keeps house and raises the children. How individuals wish to live their lives is a matter for themselves. Ultimately the men’s rights movement places the onus on individuals to take responsibility for their own choices and actions.” Going on to link the definition of “Agency” on ‘Wiki4Men’ as further information.

“Agency” is defined on the site as “ the notion that a person has control over and responsibility for their own actions.”Then goes on to state that “Society tends to emphasise the agency of men and deny the agency of women.”

https://wiki4men.com/wiki/Agency

“It became clear that they treat women the same way that white nationalist groups treat minorities—by demeaning them and describing all women as a group as lesser beings,” intelligence project director Heidi Beirich said. “Often, the language is just awful, calling all women bitches and worse. So this year, in the two cases where what we were tracking functioned as groups, we added them to the list.”

Men’s rights communities often overlap with other hateful communities, such as neo-Nazi groups and white nationalists. They were also at the forefront of the #GamerGate attacks on prominent women in gaming and media, including Feminist Frequency’s Anita Sarkeesian and developer Zoe Quinn. In 2014, a mass shooting in Isla Vista was carried out by a man who espoused male supremacist talking points.

A Voice for Men and other Men’s rights groups, foster and feed into dangerous narratives of hypermasculinity. In their glorification of traditional toughness, and in portraying women as oppressive figures and themselves as merely fighting back for their right to be men, violence is not only commodified but also celebrated. In far too many cases, the results of inflated hypermasculinity escalate into violence—just consider the correlation between gun violence and domestic abuse. And on an individual, less grandiose scale, men’s rights groups also significantly attack survivors of sexual assault by leading attacks on their credibility, and painting them as harmful to men.

Founded in 2009 by Paul Elam, A Voice for Men and its podcast “An Ear for Men'' has combined men’s rights issues and rabidly misogynistic and violent rhetoric. Elam is famously known for declaring October to be “Bash a Violent B---- month.” He later called the piece satirical but has been republishing it every October with equally violent introductions. He has claimed that were he to serve on a jury for a men accused of rape, he would automatically declare the defendant not guilty, regardless of the facts of the case. 

In 2011, A Voice for Men launched Register-Her, a website where individuals posted images of the women they thought should be put in prison. It included women deemed to have falsely accused men of rape or domestic violence, others for having protested men’s rights activist gatherings, or those Elam simply disagreed with. The effect of Register-Her was an explosion of online harassment. After finding herself targeted, feminist writer Jessica Valenti was forced to leave her home in fear for her safety. The website has since been taken down. https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/ideology/male-supremacy 

https://msmagazine.com/2018/02/26/southern-poverty-law-center-will-track-male-supremacy-groups/

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Mass Resistance

MassResistance, “the leading pro-family grassroots activist group in Massachusetts,” began life in 1995 as the Parents’ Rights Coalition, became the Article 8 Alliance in 2003, and took on its current name in 2006. Its leader, Brian Camenker, is a programmer who was an official of the Article 8 Alliance and also headed the Newton, Mass., chapter of the National Taxpayers’ Association.

A leading pro-family activist organisation, MassResistance provides the information and guidance people need to confront assaults on the traditional family, school children, and the moral foundation of society. Based in Massachusetts, we have supporters and activists in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and several foreign countries.

The group is designated an anti-LGBT hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, in part for claims linking LGBT people with pedophilia and zoophilia, and claims that suicide prevention programs aimed at gay youth were created by homosexual activists to normalize and "lure" children into homosexuality. (https://www.splcenter.org/hate-map#s=MA )

The U.S.-based Southern Poverty Law Center lists MassResistance as a hate group and one of the 18 top anti-gay groups in the United States. Among other things, the group claims that gays are also trying to get legislation allowing sex with animals and to lure children into homosexuality and sadomasochism. Typical of the conspiracy theories associated with such organisations — some of which believe that the American Psychiatric Association is controlled by homosexuals — MassResistance also accuses the CIA and FBI of having a “homosexual agenda.” (https://sentinel.tw/us-hate-group-anti-lgbt/ )

Evident on their official website (https://www.massresistance.org/ ), Mass resistance go around the United states preventing LGBT events from taking places such as crashing Pride parades, Forcing schools to remove LGBT literature, exposing Drag Queens and preventing them from performing in front of kids, infiltrating transgender awareness sessions for teachers, 

MassResistance has always maintained staunch opposition to same-sex marriage. In its booklet, What same-sex 'marriage' has done to Massachusetts, Camenker characterizes acceptance of same-sex marriage as "a hammer to force the acceptance and normalization of homosexuality on everyone". The organisation objects to schools teaching children that same-sex marriages are a normal part of society. They cite "radical" activist judges and "cowardly" politicians as factors in the increasing acceptance of same-sex marriage, and warn the public to fight back. (https://www.massresistance.org/docs/marriage/effects_of_ssm_2012/intro.html )

MassResistance opposes laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of gender identity.

On Nov. 6, 2018, Massachusetts voters preserved an existing nondiscrimination law by passing the Massachusetts Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Initiative with 68% of the vote, that protects the right of people to access public accommodations based on the gender with which they identify. MassResistance had campaigned unsuccessfully with "highway standouts, leafleting, and some public debates” ,to strike down the law. The organisation posted an article several days later criticising the campaign efforts. (https://www.massresistance.org/docs/gen3/18d/NoTo3/election-analysis.html )

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Anonymous Hacker Group

Anonymous originated in 2003 on the imageboard 4chan representing the concept of many online and offline community users simultaneously existing as an "anarchic", digitised "global brain" or "hivemind". (Landers, Chris (April 2, 2008). "Serious Business: Anonymous Takes On Scientology (and Doesn't Afraid of Anything )

The philosophy of Anonymous offers insight into a long-standing political question that has gone unanswered with often tragic consequences for social movements: what does a new form of collective politics look like that wishes to go beyond the identity of the individual subject in late capitalism? ("The philosophy of Anonymous". Harry Halpin)

We [Anonymous] just happen to be a group of people on the Internet who need—just kind of an outlet to do as we wish, that we wouldn't be able to do in regular society. ...That's more or less the point of it. Do as you wish. ... There's a common phrase: 'we are doing it for the lulz.' (Trent Peacock. Search Engine: The Face of Anonymous, February 7, 2008)

Because Anonymous has no leadership, no action can be attributed to the membership as a whole. Parmy Olson and others have criticised media coverage that presents the group as well-organised or homogeneous; Olson writes, "There was no single leader pulling the levers, but a few organisational minds that sometimes pooled together to start planning a stunt." (Olson 2012)

If you believe in Anonymous, and call yourself Anonymous, you are Anonymous." (Cadwalladr, Carole (September 8, 2012). "Anonymous: behind the masks of the cyber insurgents". The Guardian.)

The group's few rules include not disclosing one's identity, not talking about the group, and not attacking the media. (Olson 2012)

Members commonly use the tagline "We are Anonymous. We are Legion. We do not forgive. We do not forget. Expect us." (Morris, Adam (April 30, 2013). "Julian Assange: The Internet threatens civilization". Salon. Archived from the original on May 4, 2013)

Brian Kelly writes that three of the group's key characteristics are "(1) an unrelenting moral stance on issues and rights, regardless of direct provocation; (2) a physical presence that accompanies online hacking activity; and (3) a distinctive brand." (Kelly 2012)

Social Media:

YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@-anonymous)

Twitter (https://twitter.com/intent/follow?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutube.fandom.com%2F&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Ebuttonembed%7Ctwterm%5Efollow%7Ctwgr%5Eanonymousofcl®ion=follow_link&screen_name=anonymousofcl)

Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AnonymousDirect)

Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/anonymous)

Examples of cyberattacks:

The website for the Irish political party, a centre right party in coalition government with the Labour Party, was hacked by Anonymous during the 2011 general election campaign according to TheJournal.ie. The site was replaced with a page showing the Anonymous logo along with the words "Nothing is safe, you put your faith in this political party and they take no measures to protect you. They offer you free speech yet they censor your voice. WAKE UP! <owned by Raepsauce and Palladium>".

On early September 2022, Anonymous hacked the United Nations Event Proposal Tool website to post flags such as that of Taiwan and its pro-independence movement, Kosovo, Belarusian opposition, Russian opposition, Green Ukraine, alongside photo depicting Yuri Gagarin as a clown and six pages of manifesto text which emphasised that Yuri Gagarin had ejected from his capsule before it landed and should not qualify as the first man in space, and called for the establishment of a 30-kilometre demilitarised zone around the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. The defacement ends with closing comments by Anonymous such as calls for American citizens to "vote wisely" in the 2022 United States Senate elections and 2022 United States House of Representatives elections to avoid going down "Russia's path."

The Anonymous hacktivists collective has targeted the Russian Ministry of Culture and leaked 446 GB worth of data online. The cyberattack was carried out as part of the collective’s ongoing operation OpRussia against the country’s invasion of Ukraine.