Why are women boycotting Twitter?

Hundreds of twitter users, from activists to celebrities, are urging women to stay off Twitter today following the suspension of Charmed actress Rose McGowan’s account.

The actress, producer, director and singer best known for her time on supernatural series Charmed has sparked online outrage after being removed from twitter so soon after speaking out publicly about sexual abuse in Hollywood. Among a growing number of Hollywood stars, McGowan recently alleged she was sexually abused by movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, a producer linked to hundreds of films and currently facing accusations from over 30 women, including the likes of Angelina Jolie and Cara Delevingne.

Tweeting that “there is rot in Hollywood,” McGowan has also accused actor Ben Affleck of underplaying his knowledge of Weinstein as well as tweeting Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos.

4) @jeffbezos I am calling on you to stop funding rapists, alleged pedos and sexual harassers. I love @amazon but there is rot in Hollywood

— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) October 12, 2017

Twitter have responded to the temporary ban, explaining that her account was locked following a tweet that revealed someone’s private phone number, but insisted that Twitter is proud to “empower and support the voices on our platform, especially those that speak truth to power.” Following the ban, hundreds of users have tweeted the hashtag #WomenBoycottTwitter, with stars including Alyssa Milano, Anna Paquin and John Cusack.

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

— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) October 13, 2017

The tweets have been read by over 13 million people worldwide and the hashtag is currently trending on twitter. On her Instagram, Rose McGowan cited ‘powerful forces at work’ for taking her off twitter, but will you be staying clear of twitter today? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.