Max Pastukhov

Main Menu

  • Home
  • Open democracy
  • Pussy riot
  • Abramovich
  • Vladimir Putin
  • Money Management

Max Pastukhov

Header Banner

Max Pastukhov

  • Home
  • Open democracy
  • Pussy riot
  • Abramovich
  • Vladimir Putin
  • Money Management
Open democracy
Home›Open democracy›How QAnon Hijacks Anti-Traffic and What Can Be Done About It

How QAnon Hijacks Anti-Traffic and What Can Be Done About It

By Larry Bowman
March 15, 2022
0
0

QAnon’s depiction of trafficking repeats many of the myths that anti-trafficking experts have long sought to rectify. These include the common misconception that human trafficking is just about gender and has little to do with labor exploitation, organ harvesting, child soldiers or child marriage. This suggests that boys are more likely to be trafficked than men, which is not true. And QAnon’s focus on child abduction perpetuates the lie that most victims of human trafficking are kidnapped, which is also not the case.

Q has grown to post on a variety of topics and individuals that divide Americans, including Hillary Clinton, George Soros, Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Donald Trump, Edward Snowden, the Russian collusion investigation, fake news, the Red Cross, Jeffrey Epstein, Covid-19 and electoral fraud. Its influence is immense, with the Institute for Strategic Dialogue reporting tens of millions of social media posts in the United States and other countries. The entry point to participation in QAnon, however, is the fundamental belief that the abduction and exploitation of children is the primary source of elite power.

The effects of QAnon

Trafficking conspiracies shared in support of QAnon are hampering genuine attempts to prevent trafficking. Speaking anonymously because of the Q threats she has received, a senior executive from a national anti-trafficking organization in Washington said: “It definitely hinders our work when we are harassed and controlled because of disinformation campaigns… It’s exhausting work. It’s traumatic work. It’s something we all do because there’s such an extreme need in our communities and across the country. And that makes it all so much more difficult.

Beyond its use of ancient myths, QAnon’s structure (or non-structure) seems to invite even more unique and bizarre mythologies from its devotees. Among these is the unsubstantiated claim that furniture store Wayfair runs a child trafficking ring and names furniture after actual child victims of trafficking. Another shared rumor warns people to beware of white vans with external locks as a sign of possible traffic activity. Almost by design, the absurdity of these stories renders a reasoned answer fruitless. Sincere and informed anti-trafficking messages can engage the public on difficult and critical issues. They are not, however, equipped to respond to ridiculous memes that are totally disconnected from reality.

Related posts:

  1. Andrew Yang says community councils are ‘positive for democracy’ – even when reminded they are not – Streetsblog New York City
  2. Somaliland celebrates 30 years of self-proclaimed independence
  3. Hancock Community Conversations on Race Group to Host Special Event | Community news
  4. “It’s not often that you beat Priti Patel”: Will Glasgow be a wake-up call?

Categories

  • Abramovich
  • Money Management
  • Open democracy
  • Pussy riot
  • Vladimir Putin

Recent Posts

  • Pride in London: what I learned from the first march 50 years ago
  • Russia deeply offended by Johnson’s ‘toxic masculinity’ comment on Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine
  • As soon as he was sanctioned, Russia’s second richest man quickly ferried his $300 million superyacht to the safe waters of Dubai. The huge vessel now dwarfs all boats in the emirate and amazes onlookers with its six massive decks.
  • Vladimir Putin could invade Europe within a year, NATO’s Volodymyr Zelensky warns
  • Voters decide who their gubernatorial candidates will be, at the assembly
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions