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'{{short description|American political social-media campaign}} {{Lead rewrite|date=January 2021}} {{use American English|date=December 2020}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2021}} {{Infobox organization | name = #WalkAway | image = | caption = | size = frameless | alt = | formation = {{start date and age|2018|05|26}} | founder = Brandon Straka | type = | purpose = Encouraging liberals to leave the Democratic Party <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.walkawaycampaign.com/|title=About|website=#WalkAway Campaign|access-date=December 7, 2020}}</ref> | location = United States & Canada | website = {{URL|https://www.walkawaycampaign.com/}} }} The '''WalkAway campaign''', also styled '''#WalkAway''', is a [[social-media campaign]] that was launched ahead of the [[2018 midterm elections|United States 2018 mid-term elections]] by Brandon Straka, a hairstylist from New York City.<ref name="FitsimonsDemocrats">{{cite news |last1=FitSimons |first1=Tim |title=Meet Brandon Straka, a gay former liberal encouraging others to #WalkAway from Democrats |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/meet-brandon-straka-gay-former-liberal-encouraging-others-walkaway-democrats-n902316 |access-date=March 18, 2019 |work=NBC News |date=August 21, 2018}}</ref> The campaign encourages liberals to leave the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]].<ref name="FitsimonsDemocrats"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Richardson |first1=Davis |title=#WalkAway Founder Is Latest to Spread 'Facebook Ban' Disinformation |url=https://observer.com/2018/09/walkaway-founder-brandon-straka-peddles-disinformation-campaign-about-facebook-ban/ |access-date=January 9, 2021 |work=observer.com |date=September 13, 2018}}</ref> In 2021, Straka was charged for participating in the [[2021 storming of the United States Capitol|2021 storming of the United States Capitol,]]<ref name="auto">{{cite news |last1=Gerstein |first1=Josh |title=Stop the Steal organizer charged in Capitol riot |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/25/capitol-riot-stop-the-steal-462322 |access-date=January 26, 2021 |work=Politico |date=January 25, 2021}}</ref> though he never stepped foot inside. Following this, the group's Facebook page was closed for violations of the site's terms of service, <ref name="facebookBan" /> when it should not have been, as there was no calls for storming the capital, it was a group created for people to share their walkaway stories, nothing more. ==Organization== The campaign is set up as a foundation and a PAC. The foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) organization defined as a Alliance/Advocacy Organizations within the Public, Society Benefit - Multipurpose and Other category. The IRS ruling year for tax exemption was 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/832820906|title=Walkaway Foundation | access-date=October 28, 2020}}</ref> While no IRS annual return is on file for 2019, the 2018 filing shows contributions of $97,950 with officers reported as Brandon Straka, chairman; Maria Albanese, director, and Tracy Diaz, director.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.charitiesnys.com/RegistrySearch/show_details.jsp?id={E0F85A6A-0000-CE1E-92F3-A503D3E0CF0A}|title=Walkaway Foundation - NYS Attorney General - Charities | access-date=October 28, 2020}}</ref> As of October 28, 2020, the foundation was involved in an online fundraising campaign through classy.org which had raised nearly $125,000.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://give.walkawayfoundation.org/campaign/how-were-going-to-defeat-the-radical-left/c306196|title=Walkaway Foundation- Donate Now|access-date=October 28, 2020|archive-date=November 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101033531/https://give.walkawayfoundation.org/campaign/how-were-going-to-defeat-the-radical-left/c306196|url-status=dead}}</ref> The PAC is set up as ''Walkaway Campaign PAC'' and shows receipts of $29,000 through the 2020 cycle. The FEC registration is C00718197 and the treasurer of the PAC is indicated as Dan Backer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/lookup2.php?cycle=2020&strID=C00718197|title=Walkaway Campaign PAC - OpenSecrets | access-date=October 28, 2020}}</ref> ==Political activities== [[File:WalkAway in Omaha IMG 7676 (50532750066).jpg|thumb|U.S. Representative [[Don Bacon (politician)|Don Bacon]] speaking at a WalkAway rally in [[Omaha, Nebraska]] in October 2020]] In the runup to the [[2020 United States presidential election]], the WalkAway campaign held [[Political demonstration|rallies and marches]] in various cities, an effort to get people to vote for President [[Donald Trump]]. In August 2020, the WalkAway campaign held a [[political demonstration|rally]] in [[West Hollywood, California]]. Nearly 300 demonstrators attended, including Youtuber [[Joy Villa]]. Many held flags and signs supportive of Trump and critical of the Democratic Party.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Scott |first1=Henry E. |title=Nearly 300 #WalkAway Demonstrators Rally in West Hollywood to Support Trump |url=https://www.wehoville.com/2020/08/08/nearly-300-walkaway-demonstrators-rally-in-west-hollywood-to-support-trump/ |access-date=January 3, 2021 |work=WEHOville |date=August 8, 2020}}</ref> On September 5, the campaign held a rally in [[Dallas, Texas]], during which a [[Black Lives Matter]] counter-protester was arrested on at least ten outstanding warrants.<ref>{{cite news |title=Activist Dominique Alexander, others detained following incident at Dallas WalkAway Campaign rally |url=https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/activist-dominique-alexander-others-detained-following-incident-at-dallas-walkaway-campaign-rally/287-712f6c8f-a147-4e52-b261-e3144f0ea864 |work=WFAA |date=September 5, 2020}}</ref> On October 3, 2020, Straka held a rally in [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Satterfield |first1=Kolbie |title=Political protests and rallies fill DC streets 1 month before election |url=https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/protests/protests-and-rallies-fill-dc-streets-one-month-ahead-of-election/65-7460e7d8-e504-4c7b-afd5-042a4ca7099b |work=WUSA9 |date=October 3, 2020}}</ref> == Analysis and activities == It is not clear to what extent WalkAway is an example of [[astroturfing]] rather than a genuine [[Grassroots lobbying|grassroots movement]]. Straka has stated that WalkAway does not receive major donations and that "everything is grassroots support from Americans who send us $5 or $100."<ref name=":1" /> {{As of|2020|May}}, the [[Center for Responsive Politics]] reported that of the $20,104 donated to WalkAway in 2020, $7,521 were contributed by nine large ($200 or more) donors, of which Straka is one.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Walkaway Campaign PAC Summary {{!}} OpenSecrets|url=https://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/lookup2.php?cycle=2020&strID=C00718197|access-date=May 20, 2020|website=www.opensecrets.org}}</ref>{{better source needed|Outdated|date=October 2020}} Soon after its founding in 2018, WalkAway received a $10,000 donation from [[Alex Jones]] and [[InfoWars]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Isaacs|first1=Deanna|date=July 10, 2019|title=A dramatic confrontation between the right-wing political group #WalkAway and Theater Wit ends up on YouTube|agency=The Chicago Reader|url=https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/walkaway-theater-wit-hate-speech/Content?oid=71569311}}</ref><ref name="FitsimonsDemocrats"/><ref>{{Cite web|title=Hi everyone, I'm Brandon Straka, founder of #WalkAway Campaign, a true grassroots movement...|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/walkaway/comments/956lnq/hi_everyone_im_brandon_straka_founder_of_walkaway/e3qhxd1/?context=3|access-date=August 20, 2020}}</ref> David A. Love of [[CNN]] condemned the campaign as "pure propaganda [and] a psychological operation."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/07/17/opinions/russian-bots-2018-midterm-elections-opinion-love/index.html|title=Russian bots are using #WalkAway to try to wound Dems in midterms|last=Love|first=David A.|work=CNN|access-date=November 3, 2018}}</ref> The website [[Hamilton 68]], which tracks [[Russian interference in the 2020 United States elections|Russia's interference on U.S. elections]], reported that WalkAway was "connected to Kremlin-linked Russian bots to manipulate voters into thinking the movement was more popular and active that it actually was."<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=#Walkaway movement to hold Atlanta event amid questions about support|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/local/walkaway-movement-hold-atlanta-event-amid-questions-about-support/D8rFyISOyCmEstogz3o5vM/|last=Suggs|first=Ernie|website=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|language=en|access-date=May 20, 2020|date=September 17, 2019}}</ref> Abby Ohlheiser of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' claimed that "[t]here’s little actual evidence to suggest that #WalkAway represents a mass conversion of millions – or even thousands – of Democrats" and contrasted the broad appeal of true [[Viral video|viral videos]] with the "Conservative Internet viral" nature of the WalkAway video.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Analysis {{!}} The #WalkAway meme is what happens when everything is viral and nothing matters|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-intersect/wp/2018/07/02/the-walkaway-meme-is-what-happens-when-everything-is-viral-and-nothing-matters/|last=Ohlheiser|first=Abby|date=July 2, 2018|website=The Washington Post|language=en|access-date=November 3, 2018}}</ref> [[ThinkProgress]] characterized the WalkAway campaign as "a grifting operation," noting efforts by the organizers to sell dinner packages priced in the hundreds of dollars to march attendees.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pro-Trump #WalkAway March has all the signs of a grifting operation|url=https://thinkprogress.org/is-the-right-wing-walkaway-march-already-falling-apart-95dbce937e2a/|last=Michel|first=Casey|date=October 16, 2018|website=ThinkProgress}}</ref> ''[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]'' journalist Mark Joseph Stern accused Straka of presenting royalty-free [[stock photography|stock images]] from [[Shutterstock]] and claiming they were of people who had left the Democratic Party,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90207120/these-people-who-walked-away-from-the-democrats-are-stock-photo-models|title=These people who "walked away from the Democrats" are stock-photo models|date=July 24, 2018|work=Fast Company|access-date=November 3, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> though Straka has denied that any such material originated from the WalkAway campaign. Fact-checking website [[Snopes]] stated that it could not determine whether this use of stock images had originated from campaign organizers.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/walkaway-campaign-stock-photos/|title=FACT CHECK: Did the #WalkAway Campaign Use Stock Photographs for People It Claimed Left the Democratic Party?|work=Snopes.com|access-date=November 3, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> === Storming the capitol === Straka attended the [[2021 storming of the United States capitol]] and spoke to crowds on Tuesday, January 5 where he referred to the audience as “patriots” and referred repeatedly to a “revolution.” He also told the attendees to “fight back” and added, “We are sending a message to the Democrats, we are not going away, you’ve got a problem!”<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2021-04-19|title=MAGA influencer Brandon Straka arrested in connection with Capitol assault|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/gay-maga-influencer-brandon-straka-arrested-connection-capitol-assault-n1255769|website=NBC News}}</ref><ref name="politicoCapitol"/> The next day Wednesday, January 6, he urged protestors to take away a police officer’s shield shouting “Take it away from him,” Straka allegedly yelled. “Take it! Take it!” Later as others tried to charge through the entrance to the Capitol, the activist shouted: “Go! Go!”<ref name="politicoCapitol">{{cite news | publisher = politico.com | date = January 25, 2021 | title = Stop the Steal organizer charged in Capitol riot | author = JOSH GERSTEIN | url = https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/25/capitol-riot-stop-the-steal-462322}}</ref> On January 8, 2021, [[Facebook]] closed the WalkAway group page, which had more than half a million followers at the time. The page was replaced with a message from Facebook saying the page had violated its terms of use.<ref name="facebookBan">{{cite web|first1=Duncan|last1=Osborne|accessdate=2021-04-19|title=Social Media Platforms Run Away from #WalkAway Campaign – Gay City News|url=https://www.gaycitynews.com/social-media-platforms-run-away-from-walkaway-campaign/|website=www.gaycitynews.com}}</ref> The shutdown came in the wake of the [[2021 storming of the United States Capitol]], when Facebook and other social media platforms increased their enforcement of terms of service that ban the incitement of violence.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Fischer|first=Ashley Gold,Sara|title=Facebook, Twitter and the long march toward banning Trump|url=https://www.axios.com/social-medias-long-march-toward-banning-trump-a88477d7-747d-424f-a827-8fe82663b580.html|access-date=January 9, 2021|website=Axios|language=en}}</ref> Facebook claimed the page violated a policy on content that was, "hateful, threatening, or obscene".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://video.foxnews.com/v/6221452487001/|title=Anti-Democrat WalkAway Campaign banished from Facebook|website=Fox News}}</ref> On January 25, 2021, Straka was arrested in Nebraska by the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] for "impeding law enforcement officers during civil disorder" and unlawful entry into a restricted building, as well as disorderly conduct in relation to his role in the [[2021 storming of the United States Capitol]].<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Cite web|title=MAGA influencer Brandon Straka arrested in connection with Capitol assault|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/gay-maga-influencer-brandon-straka-arrested-connection-capitol-assault-n1255769|access-date=2021-05-27|website=NBC News|language=en}}</ref> == See also == * [[Hashtag activism]] * [[Political action committee]] * [[Blexit]] == References == <references /> [[Category:2018 in American politics]] [[Category:2018 in internet culture]] [[Category:Conservatism in the United States]] [[Category:Hashtags]] [[Category:Political campaigns]] [[Category:Protest marches]] [[Category:2018 YouTube videos]]'