9 May 2025
Jun 18, 2019 by 500 Words Magazine -

Rihanna, Naomi, Neyo, Cardi B, the Kardashians and More Celebrities Join #BlueforSudan

On 12 June 2019, people have been changing their profile pictures on social media to the colour blue in solidarity with Sudan and to honour those killed by paramilitary forces in the Khartoum massacre on 3 June 2019.

On 3 June and the 29th day of the holy month of Ramadan, Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and other paramilitary forces raided the monthslong mass sit-in in Al Qeyada in front of the headquarters of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), leaving at least 100 dead and more than 300 injured. At least 40 bodies were pulled out of the Nile River where paramilitary forces attempted to dispose of dead bodies. In addition, residents reported rapes and robberies at the hands of paramilitary forces. Others have been arrested, brutally beaten and even urinated on. The ruling Transitional Military Council (TMC) has cut off almost all internet and phone services since the brutal raid.

The blue colour originated from the profile pictures of Mohamed Hashim Mattar’s Twitter and Instagram accounts – a dark shade of blue dubbed as the #MattarBlue. Mattar, 26, was one of the more than 100 people who were killed on 3 June. After news of Mattar’s death broke out, those close to him changed their profile pictures to the same shade of blue, paying homage to him. However, it has now become the symbol to honour and pay tribute to all of the martyrs of the Khartoum massacre.

Many notable figures have called on people to change their profile pictures to blue in solitary with Sudan, using hashtags #BlueforSudan #PaintSudanBlue and #PrayforSudan. The first to launch the #BlueForSudan is Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the sister of Qatar’s ruling Emir, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Followed by Rihanna who inspired a wave of celebrities to join the campaign.

 
 
 
 
 
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WTF PEOPLE!!??!! #SudanMassacre RAISE AWARENESS NOW!!!

A post shared by NE-YO (@neyo) on

 

 
 
 
 
 
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#Repost @imaanhammam ・・・ PLEASE OPEN UR EYES!!!!!!!! THIS IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW IN SUDAN!!! PLEASE SHARE THIS UR SILENCE IS LETHAL #prayforsudan #sudan original artwork by @cigherette

A post shared by Tracee Ellis Ross (@traceeellisross) on

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by CHRIS BROWN (@chrisbrownofficial) on

 

 
 
 
 
 
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My name is Duckie Thot, and I am a South Sudanese woman. The South of Sudan gained its independence from Sudan in July 2011 due to an ongoing civil war, that has not changed the history and ties the two countries hold and share. I have family who are still currently in Sudan. I want to clarify, to those who felt like my silence in the past few days that it has been a reflection of my ‘indifference’ toward my home of Sudan, that this is so far from true.. I’ve been processing. My mother was pregnant with me when she fled Sudan in 1994, due to the war- the same atrocities that are currently taking place, under Omar Al Bashir (now ex-president of Sudan). My parents fled over 20 years ago. Growing up, death was not a foreign language in our household — a reoccurring and harsh reality. My father would sit me down and draw on a piece of paper- recreating the village he grew up in, the school he attended, the Nile he would draw water from. Today, corpses are being pulled from that same Nile. Hence why, the recent influx of engagement and concern within the social media world, while necessary and essential, is hugely confronting as it is a reality I’ve lived with my entire life. I have struggled with the sudden pressure from outsiders to share my experience, trauma, and feelings, in such an immediate space of time before processing what the circumstances mean to me personally, to my family and my nation. I am committed to finding sustainable solutions, viable connections and humanitarian support that will foster meaningful changes and encourage competent leadership on the ground. I am demanding, looking to engage with and calling for action from the Government, industry and organisation and individuals and community. Many have lost their lives, but the sight of Hope and the act of resilience is what Africans know best. Presently, there is a media blackout. We need to engage, LISTEN and RESPOND to the requests and do what we can in response directly in relation to those on the ground. It is our responsibility. Please continue to educate yourself on Sudan and South Sudan. Share and Donate when you can. #SudanUprising Stand with Sudan 🇸🇩

A post shared by Duckie Thot (@duckieofficial) on

 

 
 
 
 
 
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SUDAN 🇸🇩

A post shared by MOSTHATEDCARDI (@iamcardib) on

Others who have gone blue for Sudan are J Cole, Justine Skye, Shaun King, Van Jones, Andrea Russett and many more. Others such as Gigi Hadid, Zayn Malik, Ariana Grande, DJ Khaled, Zara Larsson have shared news about the Sudan uprising and donations links to

Human rights-focused organisations such as Amnesty International and UNHCR have issued statements and have also gone ‘Blue for Sudan’.

Although the Khartoum massacre took place on 3 June, the campaign was launched shortly after American comedian, political commentator, actor and TV host, Hasan Minhaj, dedicated a full-episode on his Netflix show, Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj, to highlight the Sudan revolution.

What is Behind #BlueForSudan?

 

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