Since protests often take place in many different cities, it’s nearly impossible for many people to attend all of them. Thanks to Twitter and hashtags it is very easy to be updated on what is happening and to show your support for the cause. Many times, these protests wouldn’t be known about widespread without social media.

Kayla Reed on Twitter

These 2 were such an important part of the #Ferguson Uprising & are in need. They are expecting a child soon. Autumn was laid off 3 weeks before maternity leave & Rockit has to have his colon removed because of Crohns. Anything you give is great. Please. https://t.co/vIlMZiKRI6

The #Ferguson hashtag is being used to curate a GoFundMe to a certain group of people who will want to help these people to participated in the Ferguson protests.

LadyD on Twitter

@Bulldog9mom @CaptainsLog2017 @AZ_Indivisible @IndivisibleofAZ @Arizona_Strong @StephH_AZ @AZBlue2020 @1IronMan2018 @TheSWPrincess @StormResist @indivisiblephx @IndivisibleAZ5 I would add rags dipped in vinegar in a zip baggie just in case the police or Trumpians try to fire off gas like they did at the Phoenix Trump protest.

The Phoenix protest happened in August but people are taking tips from what happened there and encouraging others to prepare for the worst.

Stephanie Racine on Twitter

Did you participate in the #WomensMarch2018 in Chicago? I would love to chat with you re an article about activism and Women's Month. DM me! #womensmarchchi @womensmarchchi

Journalists can also find sources from Twitter by quoting their tweets in the story or using Twitter as a tool to find sources.

Citizen journalists who attend these events and take photos, share them so others who couldn’t go can see what happened.

• #ferguson #protest
• Seattle Ferguson Protest

Photos on Flickr are helpful for journalists who may be covering a story but don’t have any photos of their own from the protest.

The rise of citizen journalism

People are often wary of citizen journalism because you can never really trust everything you read online. Regardless, this can be a great way for journalists to get interviews from those who actually attended the protests or marches. As we read content online from events similar to these, it’s up to us to take this information with a grain of salt. The Guardian article says that the best way to use citizen journalism is to mix it with professional journalism to create a rounded story.