'A nightmare scenario': how an anti-trans Instagram post led to violence in the streets

[Nevilledog]

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Ben Collins
@oneunderscore__
"In one week, Fox discussed Wi Spa in six segments. Tucker Carlson repeated, without evidence, that a 'man' was naked in the 'female kids section' of the spa. Another host warned that what happened at Wi Spa will occur 'all across the land.'"

‘A nightmare scenario’: how an anti-trans Instagram post led to violence in the streets
Misinformation about a spa in Los Angeles was amplified by anti-trans and far-right groups across the globe, leading to abuse of trans women in LA
theguardian.com
1:20 PM · Jul 28, 2021

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/28/anti-trans-video-los-angeles-protest-wi-spa

On 24 June, a woman claimed on Instagram that a Korean spa in Los Angeles had allowed a “man” to expose himself to women and girls in the women’s section.

The unsubstantiated allegations about Wi Spa in LA’s Koreatown neighborhood quickly spread from social media to rightwing forums to far-right news sites to Fox News, and were distorted by anti-transgender groups across multiple countries.

The massive media attention resulted in two weekends of chaotic rallies in LA this month, in which anti-trans and trans-rights protesters fought in the streets, and women carrying “protect female spaces” signs paraded alongside members of the far-right Proud Boys. Trans counter-protesters and their supporters described being Maced, stabbed and chased by rightwing demonstrators, as well as injured by police.

The episode, experts said, offered a case study in how viral misinformation can result in violence, and provided clear evidence of the links between anti-trans and far-right movements, including QAnon conspiracy theorists, who believe that a cabal of elite pedophiles is manipulating the American government.

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