I don't think the intention is to scare lawmakers with a protest online - it's about calling attention to it so more people put the pressure on the lawmakers in

I don't think the intention is to scare lawmakers with a protest online - it's about calling attention to it so more people put the pressure on the lawmakers in the usual ways. In light of that, even though I'm not from nor have ever visited New Zealand, I blacked out my Twitter avatar today, too. It could happen here someday. (True for any value of "here", IMO.)