A new emoji on Twitter has users fired up.
The social networking app announced today that the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter will now feature three black fists raised up.
The emoji has been added in memory of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, who have both been at the center of controversial police-involved shootings this week.
In memory of #AltonSterling, #PhilandoCastile and those before them, we are bringing back our custom✊🏾 emoji from #BHM. #BlackLivesMatter
— Blackbirds (@blackbirds) July 8, 2016
Twitter's CEO, Jack Dorsey, tweeted in support of the announcement with the same hashtag and also thanked Rep. John Lewis for his "constant strength, world-changing love, and leadership."
#BlackLivesMatter https://t.co/t1jyToyBoW
— Jack (@jack) July 8, 2016
Thank you @repjohnlewis for your constant strength, world-changing love, and leadership. #BlackLivesMatter #Dallas
— Jack (@jack) July 8, 2016
Twitter, along with other social media brands, have previously drawn ire from supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Supporters believe these companies have not shown Black Lives Matter the type of solidarity portrayed towards the LGBT community after a mass shooting in Orlando earlier this year.
When Orlando happened, @Spotify made a pride playlist. Other brands stood in solidarity. Where is that same support now?
— #BlackLivesMatter (@JustBlameNev) July 7, 2016
No Twitter bird in black. No Snapchat filter. No FB "stand with us" filters on deck. Nothing. https://t.co/qlUBYXe14D
— Avon Barksdale (@bigfACEs_06) July 7, 2016
Twitter's newest emoji is drawing scrutiny from users who believe Black Lives Matter promotes hateful rhetoric.
#BlackLivesMatter thanks @twitter for giving a group of people that shut down pride events and incite violence their own verified emoji
— dylan or somthin idk (@GigaDylan) July 8, 2016
I never seen a terrorist group get their own Twitter emoji before. #BlackLivesMatter maybe #ISIS can get one?
— #FurriesForTrump (@The_Bard_Life) July 8, 2016
Twitter makes a special emoji for #BlackLivesMatter after someone inspired by its hateful rhetoric murders 5 cops. Shameful.
— Paul Joseph Watson (@PrisonPlanet) July 8, 2016
@twitter #blacklivesmatter take that emoji DOWN NOW!! #COPS were just shot and KILLED!!! You ThinkThis Is A Joke? #bluelivesmatter
— VoiceInTheWilderness (@VWilderness) July 8, 2016
This is not the first time the social networking app has reacted to this week's shootings. Earlier this week, Twitter's official page posted a tweet "demanding racial justice."
These tragedies must lead to action. We join the voices demanding racial justice now. #AltonSterling #PhilandoCastile
— Twitter (@twitter) July 8, 2016
Do you support Twitter's decision to add a #BlackLivesMatter emoji? Let us know what you think.
Do you support @twitter's decision to add a #BlackLivesMatter emoji?
— WUSA9 (@wusa9) July 8, 2016
