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Social media use in the Wisconsin protests

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The use of social media over the past few years has changed from social conversation to being directly used in major issues. An example of this is the use of social media in the 2011 Wisconsin protests over public unions that have occurred during February and March 2011. Both sides to this debate have used various social media networks to get their message out and in attempt to convince others to join their cause. Many organizations around the country have joined this use of social media to voice their own opinions about the issue in Wisconsin. With the use of these mediums this issue quickly went from a state issue to one on the national and even international stage.

Positions

Pro-union

The Pro-Union side has used many forms of social media to help attempt to sway public opinion and to organize protests. The group called "Wisconsin Students for Solidarity" organized a national student walkout via a Facebook page to take place on March 11. An attorney named Bill Mahler decided to close his law firm early on March 11 as well to show support for the Unions. With the use of his blog and Twitter account he was able to get the message out in attempt to convince other law firms to do the same. The interesting part is that Mahler's firm is not located in Wisconsin, but in Seattle, Washington. This shows that the internet and social media has allowed issues that were confined to geographic areas the ability to take a nation or world-wide stage. These protests and actions have had positive effects in other states for opponents of the bill in Wisconsin. Republicans recently dropped a similar bill under pressures from Democrats and other union supporters.

Governor Walker and supporters

Governor Scott Walker used Twitter to state his ideas, communicate with those who agree with him, and allow those who do not to respond. Some of the tweets have even been looked at as actively negotiating with the Unions by some writers. His supporters used the same types of social media to drum up support around not only Wisconsin but the entire nation, just as the opposition had done. One website, americansforprosperity.org has a petition set up on their website available for those who agree with Walker to sign. this site also has Twitter updates and a link to a Facebook] page. Other major political figures have also used the internet] to voice their support for the governor. Former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty posted a video and started a petition on his website. Also, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich posted a public appeal on a conservative website.

Media

On Twitter, people used the hashtag "#wiunion" to tag tweets related to the protests.

References

  • Trumbull, Mark (February 19, 2011). "Wisconsin: Ground zero in battle over clout of labor unions in US". CSMonitor.com. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  • "Attorney Uses Social Media to Support Wisconsin Public Unions". PRWeb. March 11, 2011. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  • Alicia (March 11, 2011). "Wisconsin Students Organize Nationwide School Walkout". Democracy in Action. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  • AFP (February 16, 2016). "Walker Shows He's Fighting for Affordable Energy for Wisconsin". Americans for Prosperity. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  • Jones, Ben (January 10, 2011). "Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker embraces social media tool Twitter". Stevens Point Journal. Archived from the original on January 15, 2011. Retrieved July 7, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  • Condon, Stephanie (February 24, 2011). "Wisconsin's Gov. Scott Walker gets support from possible GOP presidential candidates". CBS News. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  • Condon, Stephanie (February 23, 2011). "Indiana GOP drops anti-union bill, but Democrats stay out of state". CBS News. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
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