ME Action blog post: Virtual protest

HERE ARE SEVEN WAYS YOU CAN PROTEST VIRTUALLY

1) Put your shoes on your door step or at the end of your driveway

On  September 27th, take a pair of shoes (or several) and put them on your doorstep, lawn, or driveway. Take a photo and post it on social media#MillionsMissing. Anyone can participate, whether you are a patient or an ally expressing solidarity.

You might pair the shoes with a sign that expresses what the empty shoes mean to you. Some examples: “I cannot walk to the end of my driveway” or “My brother should be here.”

Imagine if thousands of homes around the world put out their shoes in solidarity with the protestors in the streets.

2) Protest on social media
On Sept. 27th, post selfies on social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc) – in your bed, home, wheelchair, at work, wherever you live – to help us show online the millions who are missing from the protest.  Use the hashtag: #MillionsMissing so that we can aggregate all the photos. In addition, you might use #MEAction #mecfs #pwme

You might also consider typing these slogans or holding your own protest sign (whatever paper is handy!) with a slogan in your photo. Here are a few examples to get started:

Missing my life for 22 years because of ME / Missing in action since 1991 because of ME
Missing equity in research / Missing adequate medical care
Missing a doctor who believes me
Missing college / Missing my family / Missing running in the park
Missing but no longer silent
And don’t forget to follow us on the #MillionsMissing Instagram and share our stories: help us get the word out! Upload any videos you have to share to the #MEAction YouTube channel.

3) Add the #MillionsMissing filter to your social media profile photo
During the month of May change your profile picture with the #MissingMillions Twibbon.

4) Be a virtual protest organizer
Promote the hashtag and shoe installation on your social media accounts. Email patients, friends, families, allies who are in the vicinity of the satellite protests.

5) Join the Thunderclap
Help us speak in one, loud voice on September 27th.

6) Sign the petition demanding a suspension of graded exercise trials for ME/CFS

7) Tweet health officials who control the levers on ME/CFS. Not on Twitter? Phone or call your health officials to make our Demands heard loud and clear.