Teacup in a Storm (of Protests): #MilkTeaAlliance and the Use of Social Media in Democratic Movements in Asia

Abstract

From the anti-extradition bill amendment law protests in Hong Kong to the pro-democracy, monarchy reform movement in Thailand and the anti-coup civil resistance in Myanmar, Asia has witnessed a new surge of democracy movements in recent years. Amid the series of protests, activists across the region began to form an online, international network of protestors called “Milk Tea Alliance,” which utilized social media, especially its hashtag function, to share protest tactics and other information under the hashtag #MilkTeaAlliance.

What was unique about this network was that it began not as a part of serious political activism lead by well-known activists, but as a rather casual internet meme war that rather accidentally and unexpectedly united internet users and activists from around the region. politics and society in the region.