Last Friday, November 27th, Robert Lewis Dear killed three people in a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs. Immediately Twitter users launched hashtags in order to keep each other updated and aware of what was occurring. Some of these hashtags expressed support towards the clinic, such as #IStandWithPP, and others expressed support towards the shooter, such as #DefundPP. The hashtag #PPShooting provided opinions on both sides of the argument. The tweets in support of the clinic and victims pointed out issues with the media coverage, for example how news outlets did not release the names of the victims right away.
Almost 48 hours after #PPShooting & we have no idea who #RobertLewisDear's civilian victims were. Even police have stopped mentioning them.
— TC (@tchop_stl) November 29, 2015
The discourse surrounding Planned Parenthood has been present is virtually every political debate, during which many candidates spoke in support of de-funding.
Controlling the bodies of women they don't know is so important to them that they shoot us and then call us the murderers. #PPShooting
— Stevie Boebi (@SassiBoB) November 29, 2015
Twitter users also spoke to the disparity of people that have a #profile stance, seeing that some called the shooter a hero for murdering people which goes against the idea of #prolife.
If you show no regard for the victims of the #PPShooting but take time to bash Planned Parenthood instead, you really aren't #prolife
— المجتمع قتل الجمال (@ShaziyaLM) November 27, 2015
Most of the tweets commented on the media coverage of the shooter. This particular detail was also connected to the discourse of race. Users argued that because he was a white male he was not shot on the scene, although he killed an officer, as well as being referred to as “gentle”.
NYT wins worst lede ever: "a gentle loner who occasionally unleashed violent acts toward neighbours & women he knew." #ppshooting
— Derrick O'Keefe (@derrickokeefe) November 29, 2015
Someone who had a wife for 20 years, multiple children, & hooked up with a woman online isn't an alienated loner. #PPShooting
— TC (@tchop_stl) November 28, 2015
Re: #PPShooting If this is a mid age white guy, he'll be "mentally ill", if foreigner he'll be a "terrorist", if "black guy" already be dead
— NCShannon (@ShannonBullins1) November 27, 2015
Just as there were supporters of the victims and the clinic, there were also supporters of the shooter. Many people argued that because of the number of babies killed in Planned Parenthood, the shooter’s actions were justifiable.
Who killed more humans today. The gunmen or the doctors in the clinic? #PPShooting #PlannedParenthood
— CDM (@RWSurferGirl) November 27, 2015
ISIS would be a Justifiable End for These Baby Killers Please go To Syria and Leave these babies to Live a Free Life in America #PPShooting
— CDM (@RWSurferGirl) November 28, 2015
#ColoradoSprings shooter hid at #PlannedParenthood. He knew it was a #SafeSpace, except for babies. -mao #PPShooting #PPSellsBabyParts
— The Worst Lady (@MEEchelleO) November 30, 2015
Let's all hope the gunman who ran into a planned parenthood office to hide from cops doesn't accidentally shoot a dead baby. #PPShooting
— Progressives Today (@ProgsToday) November 27, 2015
#ColoradoSprings shooter hid at #PlannedParenthood. He knew it was a #SafeSpace, except for babies. -mao #PPShooting #PPSellsBabyParts
— The Worst Lady (@MEEchelleO) November 30, 2015
Maybe harvesting baby parts also contributes to a "toxic environment." #PPShooting
— Putin's Little Pony (@PutinsLilPony) November 30, 2015
A very important topic to write about, especially covering how it plays out on social media. It’s unfortunate that this tragedy has to become a political debate (political in the sense of whether Planned Parenthood should be defunded or not), especially so soon.
Great work!