On internet forum 4chan, home of politically incorrect texts, anonymous users decided to spread false action messages from Black Lives Matter about the war in Ukraine. An user came up with the idea to oppose the political left. According to him, the left had used the Black Lives Matter movement for its own political agenda during the US elections in 2020, and then sidelined it again. Another forum user implemented the idea, posing on Twitter as a black girl and sharing an image that read: “Ukrainian lives don’t matter until black lives matter.” On 4chan, messages disappear after a few days, but with screenshots the sabotage plan has been established.
The fake account ‘Shalila20’, through which the message was shared outside of 4chan, has since been suspended by Twitter. But screenshots of the fake Twitter message are still circulating on the internet. Anyone who is only too happy to be critical of the anti-racism movement is eager to take it.
For example, the British Conservative commentator on political issues stelde Mahyar Tousic (238,000 subscribers) in a YouTube video that “the Black Lives Matter movement is desperately trying to stay relevant” reaching more than 40,000 viewers. The Facebook page ‘Imperialist Memes for Empire Loving Teens’ early wonders if the movement will “ever stop.” However, as opposed to the few accounts that fell for the false message, there was a larger group of twitterers who pinned down its origins soon found out†
Pedophile Satanists
A more successful breakout from 4chan had far-right conspiracy theory QAnon. In brief supporters believe former president Donald Trump is waging a covert battle against the deep state: a global group of pedophile Satanists who rule governments, the business world and the media. It is estimated that QAnon’s plots are spreading worldwide millions of people be believed. More than 40 candidates for Congress back Qanon publicly.
In October 2017 appeared on 4chan a series of cryptic messages from the anonymous user Q, alleged to be a US military intelligence officer. Hillary Clinton, ‘member of the deep state‘, would be arrested and border security would be stepped up to prevent her from escaping. Later, more revelations from Q followed, including on the internet forum 8chan.
What originated in the depths of the internet, then moved into the real world. QAnon supporters became a regular at Trump rallies. Do you remember the man who stormed the Capitol in a fur hat with bison horns, a spear and an American flag? He too, Jacob Chansleyis a loyal follower of QAnon and is sometimes referred to as the ‘QAnon Shaman’.
There are also supporters of the movement in the Netherlands. American conspiracies are given a Dutch guise in Telegram groups: senior Dutch officials and the royal family are said to be guilty of ritual satanic child abuse. Thanks to the unlimited anonymity on 4chan, the users are relieved of any responsibility. It is the noble task of the vigilant internet citizen or fact-checker to protect the online world from the misinformation poison from troll factory 4chan.