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.
Stand with humanity, stand with Sudan— show solidarity by turning your profile to the colour blue! #BlueForSudan #NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/ma0c23PXXA — Al Mayassa Al Thani (@almayassahamad) June 12, 2019
Stand with humanity, stand with Sudan— show solidarity by turning your profile to the colour blue! #BlueForSudan #NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/ma0c23PXXA
— Al Mayassa Al Thani (@almayassahamad) June 12, 2019
Followed by Rihanna who inspired a wave of celebrities to join the campaign.
Thank you riri for speaking up. You’re the real mvp. FYI, In the year 2007 @rihanna has been named the Harvard University Humanitarian of the Year. #RIHANNANAVY pic.twitter.com/hTM0fvT3kR — 𝕤𝕔𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕒𝕝𝕠𝕦𝕤 (@bebo_bero) June 13, 2019
Thank you riri for speaking up. You’re the real mvp. FYI, In the year 2007 @rihanna has been named the Harvard University Humanitarian of the Year. #RIHANNANAVY pic.twitter.com/hTM0fvT3kR
— 𝕤𝕔𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕒𝕝𝕠𝕦𝕤 (@bebo_bero) June 13, 2019
please change your avi to blue and stand with the freedom fighters of Sudan! we cannot let the world continue to turn a blind eye. Thank you 🙏🏿 #IamtheSudanRevolution — Bas (@Bas) June 12, 2019 Just a thought, a deep thought to all my Sudanese Brothers. Civilians, kids been injured, raped, killed during these protests. All this is bringing serious concerns of the impact this could have on the population. pic.twitter.com/8kn2vfOmKK — Didier Drogba (@didierdrogba) June 12, 2019 View this post on Instagram WTF PEOPLE!!??!! #SudanMassacre RAISE AWARENESS NOW!!! A post shared by NE-YO (@neyo) on Jun 11, 2019 at 11:29am PDT #Sudan 💔🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/GpNyWFlr44 — Naomi Campbell (@NaomiCampbell) June 12, 2019 View this post on Instagram #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 Jun 12, 2019 at 9:03pm PDT
please change your avi to blue and stand with the freedom fighters of Sudan! we cannot let the world continue to turn a blind eye. Thank you 🙏🏿 #IamtheSudanRevolution — Bas (@Bas) June 12, 2019
please change your avi to blue and stand with the freedom fighters of Sudan! we cannot let the world continue to turn a blind eye. Thank you 🙏🏿 #IamtheSudanRevolution
— Bas (@Bas) June 12, 2019
Just a thought, a deep thought to all my Sudanese Brothers. Civilians, kids been injured, raped, killed during these protests. All this is bringing serious concerns of the impact this could have on the population. pic.twitter.com/8kn2vfOmKK — Didier Drogba (@didierdrogba) June 12, 2019
Just a thought, a deep thought to all my Sudanese Brothers. Civilians, kids been injured, raped, killed during these protests. All this is bringing serious concerns of the impact this could have on the population. pic.twitter.com/8kn2vfOmKK
— Didier Drogba (@didierdrogba) June 12, 2019
WTF PEOPLE!!??!! #SudanMassacre RAISE AWARENESS NOW!!!
A post shared by NE-YO (@neyo) on Jun 11, 2019 at 11:29am PDT
#Sudan 💔🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/GpNyWFlr44 — Naomi Campbell (@NaomiCampbell) June 12, 2019
#Sudan 💔🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/GpNyWFlr44
— Naomi Campbell (@NaomiCampbell) June 12, 2019
View this post on Instagram #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 Jun 12, 2019 at 9:03pm PDT
#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 Jun 12, 2019 at 9:03pm PDT
#Prayforsudan They need our attention!!! ❤️🌏💔 🇸🇩 pic.twitter.com/3YkKVD41PH — Davido (@iam_Davido) June 12, 2019
#Prayforsudan They need our attention!!! ❤️🌏💔 🇸🇩 pic.twitter.com/3YkKVD41PH
— Davido (@iam_Davido) June 12, 2019
View this post on Instagram The human rights violations perpetrated by the militaristic forces against civilians/protesters/families advocating for a fair government is horrific. The lack of regard for everyone’s right to life should enrage everyone And the lack of media coverage has made it hard to support our global community in need #StayStrongSudan If anyone has suggestions of in depth coverage of the crisis (@yousraelbagir is doing great reporting) and legitimate ways to support the people in danger please put in the comments below! A post shared by Yara (يارا) Shahidi (@yarashahidi) on Jun 11, 2019 at 11:22pm PDT
The human rights violations perpetrated by the militaristic forces against civilians/protesters/families advocating for a fair government is horrific. The lack of regard for everyone’s right to life should enrage everyone And the lack of media coverage has made it hard to support our global community in need #StayStrongSudan If anyone has suggestions of in depth coverage of the crisis (@yousraelbagir is doing great reporting) and legitimate ways to support the people in danger please put in the comments below!
A post shared by Yara (يارا) Shahidi (@yarashahidi) on Jun 11, 2019 at 11:22pm PDT
All love to #DemiLovato 💙 pic.twitter.com/8ulpG1vW0p — 𝕤𝕔𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕒𝕝𝕠𝕦𝕤 (@bebo_bero) June 13, 2019
All love to #DemiLovato 💙 pic.twitter.com/8ulpG1vW0p
Robin and I are praying for peace in Sudan. Please join us. pic.twitter.com/IyUcPdu0zW — Dr. Phil (@DrPhil) June 14, 2019
Robin and I are praying for peace in Sudan. Please join us. pic.twitter.com/IyUcPdu0zW
— Dr. Phil (@DrPhil) June 14, 2019
We’ve been catching up on everything going on right now in #Sudan. Keeping everyone in my prayers. Take the time today to read about what is happening right now. This is a humanitarian crisis. — Nick Jonas (@nickjonas) June 13, 2019
We’ve been catching up on everything going on right now in #Sudan. Keeping everyone in my prayers. Take the time today to read about what is happening right now. This is a humanitarian crisis.
— Nick Jonas (@nickjonas) June 13, 2019
Please take the time today to read about what is currently happening in #Sudan. The entire country is under a media blackout and their internet has been shut down. Help spread awareness! — J O E J O N A S (@joejonas) June 13, 2019
Please take the time today to read about what is currently happening in #Sudan. The entire country is under a media blackout and their internet has been shut down. Help spread awareness!
— J O E J O N A S (@joejonas) June 13, 2019
Sending the people of #Sudan my love and prayers. Blocking the internet from an entire country is a human rights violation. — kevin jonas (@kevinjonas) June 13, 2019
Sending the people of #Sudan my love and prayers. Blocking the internet from an entire country is a human rights violation.
— kevin jonas (@kevinjonas) June 13, 2019
View this post on Instagram A post shared by CHRIS BROWN (@chrisbrownofficial) on Jun 14, 2019 at 5:20pm PDT
A post shared by CHRIS BROWN (@chrisbrownofficial) on Jun 14, 2019 at 5:20pm PDT
View this post on Instagram 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 Jun 14, 2019 at 3:05pm PDT
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 Jun 14, 2019 at 3:05pm PDT
#BlueForSudan 🇸🇩 “Until bigotry and prejudice and malicious and inhuman self-interest have been replaced by understanding and tolerance and good-will… the African continent will not know peace.” – HIM Haile Selassie I addresses @UN, 1963.#Sudan#AfricaUnite#GetUpStandUp pic.twitter.com/QTkrqUzdVM — Bob Marley (@bobmarley) 15 June 2019
#BlueForSudan 🇸🇩 “Until bigotry and prejudice and malicious and inhuman self-interest have been replaced by understanding and tolerance and good-will… the African continent will not know peace.”
– HIM Haile Selassie I addresses @UN, 1963.#Sudan#AfricaUnite#GetUpStandUp pic.twitter.com/QTkrqUzdVM
— Bob Marley (@bobmarley) 15 June 2019
#BlueforSudan pic.twitter.com/geFbgV3ZTy — Damian Marley (@damianmarley) 15 June 2019
#BlueforSudan pic.twitter.com/geFbgV3ZTy
— Damian Marley (@damianmarley) 15 June 2019
#BlueForSudan 🇸🇩 “Until bigotry and prejudice and malicious and inhuman self-interest have been replaced by understanding and tolerance and good-will… the African continent will not know peace.” – HIM Haile Selassie I addresses the UN, 1963.#Sudan#AfricaUnite#GetUpStandUp pic.twitter.com/jNHcjSr5gc — Ziggy Marley (@ziggymarley) 15 June 2019
– HIM Haile Selassie I addresses the UN, 1963.#Sudan#AfricaUnite#GetUpStandUp pic.twitter.com/jNHcjSr5gc
— Ziggy Marley (@ziggymarley) 15 June 2019
Sending massive love and prayers out to the our people in #sudan #blueforsudan 🤲🏾 pray for our world ASAP 🙏🏽 https://t.co/jLBTEBGmQL — SWIZZ BEATZ (@THEREALSWIZZZ) June 14, 2019
Sending massive love and prayers out to the our people in #sudan #blueforsudan 🤲🏾 pray for our world ASAP 🙏🏽 https://t.co/jLBTEBGmQL
— SWIZZ BEATZ (@THEREALSWIZZZ) June 14, 2019
Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan — LLCOOLJ. (@llcoolj) June 15, 2019
Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan. Sudan
— LLCOOLJ. (@llcoolj) June 15, 2019
View this post on Instagram SUDAN 🇸🇩 A post shared by MOSTHATEDCARDI (@iamcardib) on Jun 13, 2019 at 10:31am PDT
SUDAN 🇸🇩
A post shared by MOSTHATEDCARDI (@iamcardib) on Jun 13, 2019 at 10:31am PDT
The #Kardashian’s/ #Jenner’s are keeping up with #sudan @kourtneykardash @KylieJenner pic.twitter.com/FrXr9X841i — 𝕤𝕔𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕒𝕝𝕠𝕦𝕤 (@bebo_bero) June 13, 2019
The #Kardashian’s/ #Jenner’s are keeping up with #sudan @kourtneykardash @KylieJenner pic.twitter.com/FrXr9X841i
There is currently a blackout in Sudan -500 killed -723 injured -650 arrested -48 women raped -6 men raped -1000 missing No western media has reported on the massacre. Copy/paste this tweet or RT to spread awareness and stop it being suppressed.#SudanMassacre#BlueforSudan pic.twitter.com/acuizgmVhZ — Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) June 16, 2019
There is currently a blackout in Sudan -500 killed -723 injured -650 arrested -48 women raped -6 men raped -1000 missing
No western media has reported on the massacre. Copy/paste this tweet or RT to spread awareness and stop it being suppressed.#SudanMassacre#BlueforSudan pic.twitter.com/acuizgmVhZ
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) June 16, 2019
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
https://t.co/wCR8uFPmWP — zayn (@zaynmalik) June 14, 2019
https://t.co/wCR8uFPmWP
— zayn (@zaynmalik) June 14, 2019
@zaralarsson 💙 pic.twitter.com/GtQKSXTA1B — 𝕤𝕔𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕒𝕝𝕠𝕦𝕤 (@bebo_bero) June 15, 2019
@zaralarsson 💙 pic.twitter.com/GtQKSXTA1B
— 𝕤𝕔𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕒𝕝𝕠𝕦𝕤 (@bebo_bero) June 15, 2019
Y’all @ArianaGrande donated $30,000 to a fundraiser for Sudan‼️💙 pic.twitter.com/GcvuWpSNec — 𝕤𝕔𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕒𝕝𝕠𝕦𝕤 (@bebo_bero) June 14, 2019
Y’all @ArianaGrande donated $30,000 to a fundraiser for Sudan‼️💙 pic.twitter.com/GcvuWpSNec
— 𝕤𝕔𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕒𝕝𝕠𝕦𝕤 (@bebo_bero) June 14, 2019
Human rights-focused organisations such as Amnesty International and UNHCR have issued statements and have also gone ‘Blue for Sudan’.
Protesters in Sudan have vowed not to give up. We stand with them. PS. Why blue? It’s in honour of Mohamed Mattar, a 26-year-old fatally shot during the 3 June crackdown. His favorite color was reportedly blue. #BlueForSudan https://t.co/hPwDsyKD54 pic.twitter.com/Ijk4mkrjt6 — Amnesty International Australia 🕯 (@amnestyOz) 18 June 2019
Protesters in Sudan have vowed not to give up. We stand with them.
PS. Why blue? It’s in honour of Mohamed Mattar, a 26-year-old fatally shot during the 3 June crackdown. His favorite color was reportedly blue. #BlueForSudan https://t.co/hPwDsyKD54 pic.twitter.com/Ijk4mkrjt6
— Amnesty International Australia 🕯 (@amnestyOz) 18 June 2019
My #NewProfilePic Maybe #BlueForSudan won’t save the world, but it will raise awareness about a terrible issue that would otherwise go unspoken and *hopefully* let the people of Sudan know they are not alone. Be their voice when they don’t have one. pic.twitter.com/hRBKworUpQ — 💙🇸🇩💙 #BlueForSudan 💙🇸🇩💙 (@BalqisSidiqia) 16 June 2019
My #NewProfilePic
Maybe #BlueForSudan won’t save the world, but it will raise awareness about a terrible issue that would otherwise go unspoken and *hopefully* let the people of Sudan know they are not alone.
Be their voice when they don’t have one. pic.twitter.com/hRBKworUpQ
— 💙🇸🇩💙 #BlueForSudan 💙🇸🇩💙 (@BalqisSidiqia) 16 June 2019
Sudan’s military shut down the country’s internet to silence the voices of peaceful protestors as they are being murdered.#IStandWithSudan and will continue my fight for #humanrights and global peace. pic.twitter.com/YQCw47Ud8I — Rep. Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan) June 14, 2019
Sudan’s military shut down the country’s internet to silence the voices of peaceful protestors as they are being murdered.#IStandWithSudan and will continue my fight for #humanrights and global peace. pic.twitter.com/YQCw47Ud8I
— Rep. Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan) June 14, 2019
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.
It’s time for us to start paying attention to what’s going on in Sudan. https://t.co/xyECWrC0sY — Hasan Minhaj (@hasanminhaj) June 9, 2019
It’s time for us to start paying attention to what’s going on in Sudan. https://t.co/xyECWrC0sY
— Hasan Minhaj (@hasanminhaj) June 9, 2019
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