What Is #StopTheHateForProfit And Why Are Celebs Boycotting Facebook For It?

Stop the Hate for Profit has been taking Facebook to task since July and now, major celebrities are joining a boycott to help spread the message.

The coalition, with its accompanying #StopTheHateForProfit hashtag, has taken issue with Facebook’s seeming inability to stem the tide of “hate, extremism, and disinformation on its platforms,” including Instagram. At the start of its mission to push for change on the massive platform, the group called for a boycott in advertising buys that eventually attracted the likes of Starbucks and Coca-Cola.

Now, celebrities are using their own reach to spread the message. First, they have pledged to stop posting on Facebook and Instagram all Wednesday. Following this, they will continue to share ideas for how the company can effectively change its policies.

Among the well-known figures taking part in this boycott are Sacha Baron Cohen, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kim Kardashian, Ashton Kutcher, Jennifer Lawrence, Katy Perry, and Mark Ruffalo.

“I love that I can connect directly with you through Instagram and Facebook, but I can’t sit by and stay silent while these platforms continue to allow the spreading of hate, propaganda and misinformation -- created by groups to sow division and split America apart -- only to take steps after people are killed,” Kardashian posted on Instagram on Tuesday, confirming her involvement with the movement.

Stop the Hate for Profit has estimated that the celebrity involvement in its cause will help spread the word to around 524 million of their followers.