Case Studies of Successful Digital Petitions That Made a Change
Today, we have the digital tools to address various social issues, such as social injustice, more effectively than ever before. Technology provides numerous resources to help us drive meaningful change.
Let's look at three successful online petitions that have made history as notable case studies.
3 Case Studies of Successful Digital Petitions
1. The Sexual Assault Petition on Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor, a popular site among Western tourists, enables travelers to share reviews and opinions about hotels, restaurants, and other travel experiences. In 2018, a woman identified as "K" reported that she was sexually assaulted by a tour guide listed on the platform.
A petition was created on Change.org to demand Tripadvisor take action, gathering 700,000 signatures. In response, Tripadvisor announced changes to how it handles reviews related to sexual assault incidents. A few days later, the platform also implemented additional safety measures to make it easier for users to report sexual assault cases.
2. Justice for George Floyd
One of the most significant cases of online activism came from a petition started by a 15-year-old girl demanding justice for George Floyd, who was killed by a police officer in May 2020. His death sparked global protests against racism and police brutality.
This petition garnered over 19 million signatures, becoming the largest petition on Change.org. Following its success, the petition starter, Ms. K, expressed her happiness at the impact it made. The massive support for this petition played a role in sparking discussions and actions on systemic racism and police reform.
3. Justice for Trayvon Martin
In February 2012, Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old Black teenager, was shot and killed. His parents, Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton, started a petition on Change.org demanding the arrest of George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch captain responsible for the shooting.
The petition gathered more than 2.2 million signatures, making it one of the most popular petitions in the site’s history, with 877,110 signatures. This tragic local incident quickly gained international attention, as civil rights activists, politicians, and protesters united with Trayvon’s family to demand justice.
In April 2012, Change.org announced the petition’s success, as Zimmerman was charged with second-degree murder. Although he was acquitted in 2013, Trayvon's death fueled an ongoing discussion on police brutality and inequality, which contributed to the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement. Zimmerman later attempted to sue Trayvon's family and authorities, alleging a conspiracy against him and seeking over $100 million in damages. Trayvon's parents dismissed the lawsuit as "baseless and reckless."
Conclusion
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Sources:
- [Qomon - 5 Petitions That Have Worked in the Last Decade](https://qomon.com/blog/5-petitions-that-have-worked-in-the-last-decade)
- [CNN - Top Petitions of the Decade](https://edition.cnn.com/2019/12/22/us/top-petitions-decade-change-trnd/index.html)