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The protest, branded the #ImBlackMovement, is taking place across the platform on Tuesday in honor of Malcolm X's birthday. Black creators are urging non-black allies to participate in the "black out" by changing their profile pictures to the raised black fist, unfollowing a TikTok user who does not support the movement, and following at least one new black creator.Lex Scott, the founder of Black Lives Matter Utah, founded the black out movement when she posted a TikTok video on May 7 calling on creators to participate in the protest.

"I did this because black creators are being silenced on TikTok and other social media platforms and I am fed up. Our videos are taken down and our accounts are banned when we speak against racism," Scott told CNN.

"I want TikTok to change their policies when it comes to black and brown creators. We should not be punished for speaking against racism. The accounts of actual racists should be taken down."

Now TikTok users are complaining that their For You pages, which offer a stream of videos based on the user's activity, rarely include creators of color. This has led to the #ImBlackMovement, which aims to highlight the importance of people of color on the app.

CNN has reached out to TikTok for comment.

People participating in the movement are only liking posts by black users for the day. Non-black TikTokers are being asked to withhold from posting any videos on Tuesday and to instead celebrate and support black creators by commenting #BlackVoicesHeard on their videos.

Black TikTokers are also using the hashtag #ImBlack on their videos to spread awareness of the movement.

Feeling the impact

"Watching the entire feed filled with black creators and artists is beyond emotional. This is powerful. Today is a moving day. It is beautiful beyond words," Scott told CNN.

Many TikTokers posted videos and comments saying their feeds were almost entirely videos of black creators.

Many black creators also shared how emotional it was to see such a massive change on the platform.

"I could cry because it's actually working. People are actually supporting black [creators]."

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TikTokers stand in solidarity with black creators to protest censorship - CNN

At this point everyone has heard of the Ahmaud Arbery murder. So how do you get an unbiased jury?

ATLANTA The nations next big trial watched gavel to gavel is poised to be in Georgia, and few attorneys know the level of public scrutiny involved with taking on a high-profile case than Mark OMara.

The Florida criminal defense attorney successfully defended George Zimmerman in 2013 for the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed black teenager. The non-guilty verdict galvanized the Black Lives Matter moment.

Over the next few months, the country will be laser focused on Gregory McMichael, and his son, accused of murdering Ahmaud Arbery. The unarmed black man was seen dying from gunfire in south Georgia on recorded cell phone video this past February.

OMara says by the time the case goes to trial, there will be no one who doesnt know about the McMichaels and Arbery.

The problem with it is what they know about the case is not going to be particularly accurate, said OMara through a Zoom interview with 11Alive from his Orlando office this week.

After the Zimmerman trial ended, OMara lambasted the media for its coverage of the trial.

You guys, the media, he was like a patient on an operating table where a mad scientist was experimenting on him and he had no anesthesia, OMara compared, during a press conference in July 2013.

To combat disinformation during Zimmermans trial, OMara received special permission from the Florida Bar and the judge to create a website, a Facebook page and a Twitter account to respond to the barrage of bogus stories.

If you think about how bizarre that is, but we had to do it because of the amount of social media presence that was out there, OMara explained. A lot of people want to be on that camera, they light the key light, they want to have their moment of fame and theyll come out with outrageous stories. Theyll come up with evidence that they make up.

Its already started in Georgia. A picture of Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp went viral falsely claiming the man in the anti-Islam shirt was Gregory McMichael.

We know social media is the perfect media for disinformation and for false information, OMara said.

OMara said all of the attention will present a challenged to find an impartial jury anywhere in Georgia.

If I was representing the McMichaels, I want to stay in my local area, and I want to stay in that portion of southern Georgia, because the demographics of southern Georgia would help with the defense in this case. They will have a home-court advantage, OMara explained.

During the Zimmerman trial, OMara said law enforcement investigated more than 2,500 credible threats to he and his staff. It forced him to pay for security for months.

MORE ON AHMAUD ARBERY INVESTIGATION |

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George Zimmerman's attorney compares 2013 trial to that of upcoming trial for Ahmaud Arbery's alleged killers - 11Alive.com WXIA

By Temi Alao 5/18/20 3:15pm

Editors Note: This is a guest opinion that has been submitted by a member of the Rice community. The views expressed in this opinion are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of the Thresher or its editorial board. All guest opinions are fact-checked and edited for clarity and conciseness by Thresher editors.

The COVID-19 pandemic seems to have given rise to a new phrase that has been thrown around by media outlets and social media users across the country: We are all in this together. Dont get me wrong I am not denying the fact that every person in this country has been impacted by the virus in some capacity, and I am certainly not denying the rise in local expressions of solidarity. Over the past couple months, weve seen students and volunteers across the country donate their time and resources to help their neighbors. Celebrities are donating and raising money for charitable causes. Young people have come together on social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram to address issues surrounding mental health and online learning, creating a sense of community while also practicing social distancing. I am not denying the presence of solidarity. What I would like to discuss, however, is the fallacy of solidarity in a racialized society.

While the catchy slogan has lifted Americans spirits and conviviality, it has also undermined the reality of racial discrimination and systemic racism in our society today. The sentiment were all in this together suggests that, regardless of ones class, race or ethnicity, gender identity, age or religion, we share a moral and social duty to work together for the benefit of all. Simple, right? For a moment, ponder on how the heightened feelings of togetherness recently brought on by the pandemic plays a role in the Black Lives Matter movement and the recent killing of Ahmaud Arbery. In a way, were all in this together can be comparable to the more politically charged phrase all lives matter in that both phrases assume there is social, economic and political equity across all ethnic groups, preserving a false sense of solidarity. This way of thinking is not only false, but it is also harmful as it contributes to the myth of a post-racial society and explicitly negates the experiences of racial minorities.

The prevalence of the filming, sharing and hashtagging police brutality and violence, both physical and verbal, towards Blacks has become all too common in todays news stories and social media feeds. Ahmaud Arberys murder, to me, is particularly disturbing and depressing. The footage shows Ahmaud being followed and fatally shot in February of 2020. The footage, along with the #RunWithMaud hashtag circulating mass media, has led to the arrest of Ahmauds killers two months later. Based on the treatments of Black victims in the past, Im sure most of us can predict what happens next. Ahmauds name and character will be defamed in the media. His murderers will inevitably be defended in the name of free speech and even labeled as good men who were acting in self-defense to protect their neighborhood. Just as weve seen with Eric Garner, Sandra Bland, Trayvon Martin and countless others, the #RunWithMaud hashtag will eventually begin to fade to make room for another unjust Black death.

Ahmaud Arberys murder is not just a hashtag or, as Ive seen suggested on social media, an over-exaggeration put on by the media. Similarly, the statement Black lives matter is not a terrorist, anti-White proposition but rather a premise of inclusion over exclusion. The movement combats the ideologies of a racial hierarchy and subjugation of Black people by simply proposing that Black lives matter too. The Black community lives in fear because we are constantly being criminalized, targeted and killed, and yet American solidarity seems to be nonexistent in this context.

A hashtag will never be enough to bring about real progress. We cannot pretend that we live in color-blind society when there are systems, policies and institutions put in place to disenfranchise underrepresented communities and to protect those that support them. To understand the historical nuances of race relations in America is to understand todays social problems. If Ahmaud Arbery was a White man, would he still have been targeted and murdered? In order to bring social change, we must first acknowledge that we are not all in this together.

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Being affiliated with a university in one of the most diverse cities in the country presents a unique opportunity to practice allyship and contribute to a vision of real change. Be willing to discuss racism with your non-Black peers or even in class discussions. Attend protests and rallies, sign petitions and stay informed. As much as we love and celebrate Black culture, we should equally love Black people. Imagine if we put as much effort into advocating for racial minorities as we put into relief efforts for coronavirus. Inaction is also an action.

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Don't overlook Black lives in pandemic solidarity - The Rice Thresher

Many are wondering what the black fist is on TikTok as many users change their profile pictures. Well, lets get it answered!

During the course of lockdown, many things have helped us through in terms of evading boredom.

Streaming services like Netflix and Spotify have kept us updated with films, TV shows and music, while plenty of us have also taken up more cooking, gardening and exercise etc.

However, its safe to say that downloading TikTok has been an absolute saviour for so many.

The social networking service has been host to so many video trends over the last couple of months, and with more time on our hands there has been no better time to get involved and join in the fun.

Although undeniably popular beforehand, it has truly taken off under the circumstances. We imagine youve thoroughly got the hang of it by now, but if youre confused regarding the presence of black fists for profile images, youre not alone.

Let us explain

The black fist on TikTok represents the Black Lives Matter movement.

By changing their profile pictures, users are expressing their support and awareness of the movements cause.

Changing your profile picture on social media to promote an organisation or movement is a great way to promote a good cause for free; essentially, youre giving them free marketing.

As highlighted by their own website, heres what Black Lives matter is all about:

The Black Lives Matter Global Network is a chapter-based, member-led organization whose mission is to build local power and to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes.

So, now you know!

As noted by Distractify, the movement began as a response to a number of tragic acts, like the murder of Trayvon Martin or the police killing of Michael Brown, to give some examples.

Those who believe in striving for justice have been compelled to support and actively engage with Black Lives Matter, with members spanning the globe.

Over on the website, they further explain:

Enraged by the death of Trayvon Martin and the subsequent acquittal of his killer, George Zimmerman, and inspired by the 31-day takeover of the Florida State Capitol by POWER U and the Dream Defenders, we took to the streets. A year later, we set out together on the Black Lives Matter Freedom Ride to Ferguson, in search of justice for Mike Brown and all of those who have been torn apart by state-sanctioned violence and anti-Black racism. Forever changed, we returned home and began building the infrastructure for the Black Lives Matter Global Network, which, even in its infancy, has become a political home for many.

Want to get involved?

This content could not be loaded

If youre interested, be sure to head over to the website, which includes a shop, programs, their global actions and more.

Signing up to receive updates is quick and easy, as is sending in donations.

You can also follow them on Instagram and Twitter etc.

In other news, can you solve this riddle?

More here:
What is the black fist on TikTok? Profile pictures explained - HITC - Football, Gaming, Movies, TV, Music

Utilizing rhetoric reminiscent of Civil War broadsides, President Donald Trump tweeted on April 17 encouraging citizens to liberate their states. His tweets mainly targeted states which had a democratic governor and a shelter-in-place order. The presidents tweets inspired the burgeoning pandemic protest movement that had surrounded the Michigan capitol buildings, with participants strapped with assault rifles and MAGA hats.

I couldnt help but notice that the movement was built on hypocrisy. Among the signs brandished by the protesters like I want a haircut and Social Distancing = Communism was the repeated phrase: My Body, My Choice. The protesters had the ignorance, or audacity, to rip off the slogan, which is used within the pro-choice movement.

Thus, this typically pro-life crowd adapted a pro-choice slogan to protest an order that preserves public safety and life. The protesters hide behind flimsy defenses, including that their civil liberties are being trod upon, the coronavirus is a hoax and the shelter-in-place order is part of a vast government conspiracy. They also make sure their conspiracy theories circumvent those in power they favor (Trump) and lay the blame on democratic forces. Somehow.

Another point of hypocrisy is Operation Gridlock, which was utilized to create traffic in downtown areas and around government buildings across the country. Whether intentional or unintentional, Gridlock presented a challenge for medical staff when hospital entryways and ambulances were blocked. Some medical workers staged their own gridlock strategy against the protests, such as Colorado healthcare workers in full scrubs standing against the traffic of protesters.

These images are ironic as they remind me of the Tiananmen Square photos of the Tank Man. The Tank Man stood against tyranny just as the medical workers stood against the tyranny of the protesters, and yet, the protesters believe they are fighting tyranny. Operation Gridlock used disruptive tactics in order for the protesters to fight for their civil liberties.

Im reminded of a time when protests by Black Lives Matter were seen as disruptive and chaotic by the Right. The commonly aired complaints questioned why they couldnt protest in a more respectful, orderly manner. Black Lives Matter protests resulted from the unjust killings of Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, Philando Castile and others. The protests of Operation Gridlock resulted from the unavailability of receiving a haircut or going to a mall, among other petty concerns. To display their strength, Black Lives Matter protesters displayed a united front. But pandemic protesters brandished weapons and conspiracy theories.

The privilege exuded by the protesters is exhausting, especially in light of the systemic failings of the U.S. and the slaying of Ahmaud Arbery. One motto used by the protest movement and Trump is that the cure cannot be worse than the disease.

The reality is there is no cure. The only remedy is to abide by the regulations formulated by medical experts and scientists. The illness results in possible death. I dont know how the cure could be worse than that. I do know the cure isnt ignorance.

True Dabill can be reached by comment section trolls and cowards at dabi7280@stthomas.edu.

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OPINION: The vast hypocrisy of the pandemic protesters - Tommie Media