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I don't understand why it matters if the reopen domains or Facebook groups are being created/organized by some individuals or a group. There are dubious claims
by throwawaysea 7y ago
I don't understand why it matters if the reopen domains or Facebook groups are being created/organized by some individuals or a group. There are dubious claims from Reddit labeling this as 'astroturfing', but astroturfing would require that these actors create fake accounts or pay for posts or hire actors for protesters. But everything seems to point at the protesters being real individuals who are simply aligned on the sentiment of reopening.
Even if someone is gaining in some way from the effort of registering domains, creating Facebook groups, and writing descriptions, I don't think it removes the legitimacy of the underlying sentiment or protesters. I don't think it makes it "less grassroots". After all, literally every other act of protest or campaigning or other activism involves organizing. Unless we're about to claim that anyone performing organizing is astroturfing, it is nonsensical to apply the label here.