Twitter Responds To Santa Barbara Shootings With #YesAllWomen Hashtag

The tragedy in California has stirred a powerful reaction on social media.

In the wake of the killings in Isla Vista, it emerged that Elliot Rodger, the perpetrator, frequented "men's rights" forums.

Some people on social media appeared to express sympathy for Rodger.

In response, #YesAllWomen began to trend on Twitter last night. The hashtag began as a response to traditional male rights' activists complaints such as "friend-zoning".

#YesAllWomen b/c not returning someone's feelings, or as society calls it putting them in the "friend zone", should not make me feel guilty

But now wider concerns are being aired. They include harassment — physical or otherwise...

Just thinking about how my latest ex would be responding to #YesAllWomen, I am urgently relieved he's out of my life forever.

Because I now wear shorts under dresses in crowded bars after being groped and even penetrated by unseen hands. #YesAllWomen

#YesAllWomen have had a man deliberately press his groin against them in a crowded bus (I was 12).

I was 12, a cashier gave me slurpees in exchange for "hugs". Never went there again after he pulled me into his lap. #YesAllWomen

I doubt I know a woman who saw that YouTube today and wasn't reminded of a man she's rejected who then scared her with anger. #YesAllWomen

...and gender relations, among others.

Because we teach girls to dress decent instead of teaching boys to act decent. #YesAllWomen

Because my mother was a victim of domestic violence and when she spoke out not one male police officer lent a helping hand #YesAllWomen

#yesallwomen because the phrase "you __________ like a girl" is still an insult

At the time of writing, the hashtag was the top trend on Twitter with nearly 150,000 people using it.

#YesAllWomen because we're taught to fear if we don't do everything "right" we asked for it if we get raped.

Because some people's response to a fictional character was death threats against the actor who portrayed her. #SkylerWhite #YesAllWomen

Because I'm tired of being referred to as a "female engineer". Just an engineer, thanks. #YesAllWomen

Not all of the tweets were written by women.

Because the time between news of the mass shooting and a guy declaring the killer had a valid grievance was probably under 10s #YesAllWomen

Because the friendzone is the fictional exile of the entitled. “Sexual partner” is not a woman’s default mode. #yesallwomen

It forms a counterpoint to the "Not All Men" meme that grew in popularity earlier this year.

Because men reading this will think "yes some women" #YesAllWomen

Because a lot of you are reading these and thinking "ugh yeah, we get it. Calm down." #YesAllWomen

Note: BuzzFeed has received permission from all those featured in this post to use their tweets.

An earlier version of this post said Roger shot dead three women after stabbing three men to death. In fact two women and one man were shot dead. Thirteen other people were injured, eight of them from gunshot wounds and four others by blunt trauma sustained after being struck by the attacker's vehicle.

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