Anna Paquin, Alyssa Milano and Mark Ruffalo among users joining one-day protest against treatment of women on social media platform

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Actors and activists are calling for users to boycott Twitter for a day after the service suspended Rose McGowan for violating its terms and policies.

The banning of Rose McGowan shows nothing's changed at Twitter | Hannah Jane Parkinson Read more

McGowan, one of the accusers of film producer Harvey Weinstein, had her Twitter account suspended, prompting outrage on Twitter, which has faced frequent criticism for its perceived inability to tackle abuse – often directed against women – on its platform.

#WomenBoycottTwitter started at midnight in New York and was to last the duration of Friday 13 October.

Kelly Ellis (@justkelly_ok) #WomenBoycottTwitter Friday, October 13th. In solidarity w @rosemcgowan and all the victims of hate and harassment Twitter fails to support. https://t.co/G0my9EyKpQ

dory ashore (@doryashore) Looks like we've got the day off tomorrow, feminists. #WomenBoycottTwitter https://t.co/Czp3SHyYSA

Heidi Moore, an editor and consultant, was among the first to adopt the idea. Speaking to the Observer website, Moore said the boycott was a means of shedding light on the “appalling abuse” of women on Twitter.

Heidi N Moore (@moorehn) Come on ladies let’s get in formation.



Friday October 13th seems a good boycott day.



Cc @OhNoSheTwitnt @JessicaValenti @feministabulous https://t.co/o2ivS9GmU7

A number of high-profile celebrities have since joined in. Chrissy Teigen, John Cusack, Anna Paquin and McGowan’s Charmed co-star Alyssa Milano will join other Twitter users in solidarity with McGowan and those who have experienced harassment online.

Anna Paquin (@AnnaPaquin) #IStandWithRose .@rosemcgowan and all the other victims. #WomenBoycottTwitter tomorrow. https://t.co/XTXtFMv2CM

Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) Tomorrow (Friday the 13th) will be the first day in over 10 years that I won’t tweet. Join me. #WomenBoycottTwitter pic.twitter.com/xoEt5Bwj5s

John Cusack (@johncusack) In in :) https://t.co/ylX1BQBwDs

christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) My mentions since posting #WomenBoycottTwitter 3 minutes ago #thisiswhy pic.twitter.com/c1GKSmBu32

Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) Tomorrow I follow the Women. #WomenBoycottTwitter

Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) Ok ok Jesus, let me clear this up. #WomenBoycottTwitter will not silence us, but @Twitter will make much less $$ b/c of fewer clicks. I’m in pic.twitter.com/LPEbKJwpgM

McGowan’s Twitter account has since been unlocked, but is expected to stay silent for the 24-hour protest.