‘Mothers of the Movement’: DNC guests spark trending Twitter war over Black Lives Matter
Black Lives Matter gained prominent attention at the Democratic National Convention when seven mothers of infamously slain victims, including Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown, took the stage. Known as the “Mothers of the Movement,” they became a Twitter trend, but not necessarily thanks to supporters.
Dressed in black dresses with red flowers, the mothers shared the DNC stage to voice their support for Hillary Clinton’s bid for president. Many lost a child to fatal police encounters or deadly shootings.
The mothers included Gwen Carr (of Eric Garner), Sybrina Fulton (of Trayvon Martin), Maria Hamilton (of Dontré Hamilton), Lucia McBath (of Jordan Davis), Lezley McSpadden (of Michael Brown), Cleopatra Pendleton-Cowley (of Hadiya Pendleton), and Geneva Reed-Vead (of Sandra Bland).
The convention floor broke out in chants of “Black lives matter!” during their collective moment in the spotlight, making the hashtag #MothersoftheMovement a top trend on Twitter.
The hashtag’s success was not entirely based on the outpouring of support that the mothers did, indeed, receive, however. It was also fueled by skeptics, critics, and outright trolls or haters that kept the subject an active point of contention. Here is a sampling of the mixed reviews and discussion:
#MothersoftheMovement these mothers have suffered at the hands of democrats!They run ur cities!They directUr police! #DNCinTheTwilightZone
— serva christi (@servachristi) July 27, 2016
Black men have no fathers, grow up in a single household, end up disrespectful & either get shot or repeat the cycle. #MothersoftheMovement
— #AllLivesMatter (@dajhaarenee) July 27, 2016
The ugly&bigoted things tweeted in #MothersoftheMovement shows just how hateful the Republican Party is & only proves Y we need #HRC
— LaLa (@LaLa904_land) July 27, 2016
For those who say that the #MothersoftheMovement are doing this for attention remember that they wouldn't be here if their kids were alive.
— Spenser Clark (@spenser_clark) July 27, 2016
@mindspin412@jennifermcfarl4 Hillary doesnt care about them #MothersoftheMovement#DemsInPhilly wants all the black pandering possible
— Steve Andrews (@steveandrews202) July 27, 2016
#MothersoftheMovement I'm sad their kids was taken by police violence but it will keep happening unless people do something about it.
— Norman R.Colson (@normanrcolson) July 27, 2016
I'm a #DaughterOfaCop and wish our voices could be heard in contrast to #MothersoftheMovement#DemConvention@SheriffClarke@FoxNews
— Mycfhl (@mycfhl) July 27, 2016
Standing on that stage must've opened a lot of wounds 4 the #MothersoftheMovement
— Nefertiti (@Fi5th_Element) July 27, 2016
HRC, don't forget about them after tonight #DemsInPhilly
I just got done watching the #MothersoftheMovement and I am touched #DemsInPhilly
— Brittany Barnett (@britt2477) July 27, 2016
What about this baby boy who will never get to know his Daddy? #MothersoftheMovement#DemsInPhillypic.twitter.com/IxgBB1OCSM
— Angela.Kay (@DeepSouthProud) July 27, 2016
#MothersoftheMovement Props to Michael Brown's mother 4 wearing family gang colors in her hair 4 the #DemConventionpic.twitter.com/aRGMbgtQSD
— BrewCitriot (@BrewCitriot) July 27, 2016
Last week a billionaire told us how awful America is. Tonight grieving mothers told us that America IS great right now #MothersOfTheMovement
— EloquentlyPissedOff (@EloquentlyPdO) July 27, 2016
I stand with the mothers who lost sons in Benghazi and the now single mothers who's husbands were assassinated by BLM #MothersoftheMovement
— Danny Melz (@dan2melz) July 27, 2016