This is the third time that AltNPS has called on their followers to do a Facebook check-in at a politically relevant place. They say it's "a simple but powerful way to show up and support from a distance." The political efficacy is arguable, but it's DEFINITELY good for AltNPS's engagement metrics.
I disbelieve the whole premise that using Facebook to check in with a protest muddies the surveillance waters or matters at all. Surely the face recognition cameras on site are what are being used. Not Facebook as a primary source
Adding data to data in a surveillance state is never the answer.
I completely agree, and I think this is another example of AltNPS actively HARMING the movement they claim to support. If they wanted to help people resist, why not spread mutual aid links, or guides for protest safety?
That would require them to know how to do anything. Too big of an ask :/
As a viable political statement, mass Facebook check-ins are...questionable, but harmless. They had a moment during the protests at Standing Rock in 2016, but it's unclear if it actually did anything to disrupt law enforcement. Snopes put out an excellent article at the time:
Here's Kim LaCapria from Snopes in 2016: "Underneath the claim was a genuine problem with the message, that people truly wishing to assist the protesters could do so simply by checking in rather than sending funds or supplies to support their efforts."
This problem is still relevant today. Why is AltNPS calling for Facebook check-ins, and not material support? Why ask for Facebook engagement and not mutual aid?