Why Are Women Boycotting Twitter? How Rose McGowan Tweets About Harvey Weinstein, Suspension Sparked Global Revolt
Rose McGowan, the actor and film director, has inspired a global movement against Twitter after the social media network briefly suspended her account.
McGowan, 44, revealed that she was unable to post tweets Wednesday after speaking out about the alleged abuse of women by disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein.
Twitter said Thursday it did not suspend McGowan's account because of her allegations regarding Weinstein, but because she violated the platform's terms of service by posting "a private phone number."
We have been in touch with Ms. McGowan's team. We want to explain that her account was temporarily locked because one of her Tweets included a private phone number, which violates our Terms of Service. 1/3
— Twitter Safety (@TwitterSafety) October 12, 2017
However, many Twitter users quickly pointed out that Twitter has not historically taken action against other users who have posted offensive material. Some tweeted that President Donald Trump once gave out the phone number of U.S. senator Lindsey Graham—though this was not shared over Twitter.
On Friday, women, and indeed men, are vowing to stand in solidarity with McGowan and protest Twitter's purported "silencing" of women by boycotting Twitter.
The hashtag #WomenBoycottTwitter has gained support from high-profile celebrities including Thor: Ragnarok star Mark Ruffalo and Chrissy Teigen.
Ladies. Let's do this. #WomenBoycottTwitter. Not because of hate but because I love this platform and know it can be better.
— chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) October 13, 2017
My mentions since posting #WomenBoycottTwitter 3 minutes ago #thisiswhy pic.twitter.com/c1GKSmBu32
— chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) October 13, 2017
Tomorrow I follow the Women. #WomenBoycottTwitter
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) October 13, 2017
I'm with you. And you. And you. And you. Peace. #WomenBoycottTwitter https://t.co/iyedLECvff
— Sarah Paulson (@MsSarahPaulson) October 13, 2017
#IStandWithRose .@rosemcgowan and all the other victims. #WomenBoycottTwitter tomorrow. https://t.co/XTXtFMv2CM
— Anna Paquin (@AnnaPaquin) October 13, 2017
Ok ok Jesus, let me clear this up. #WomenBoycottTwitter will not silence us, but @Twitter will make much less $$ b/c of fewer clicks. I’m in pic.twitter.com/LPEbKJwpgM
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) October 13, 2017
Tomorrow (Friday the 13th) will be the first day in over 10 years that I won’t tweet. Join me. #WomenBoycottTwitter pic.twitter.com/xoEt5Bwj5s
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) October 13, 2017
However, other Twitter users, including filmmaker Ava Duvernay, questioned why there wasn't similar outrage for other women, including the embattled ESPN host Jemele Hill, who was suspended from the network for an anti-Trump tweet.
Calling white women allies to recognize conflict of #WomenBoycottTwitter for women of color who haven't received support on similar issues.
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) October 13, 2017
aight....in addition to supporting the #WomenBoycottTwitter movement i ask you all remember that @JemeleHill is catching hell as well. out.
— Philly’s Own Questo (@questlove) October 13, 2017
