Occupy movement hand signals explained

The Occupy movement hand signals are a group of hand signals used by Occupy movement protesters to negotiate a consensus.[1] [2] Hand signals are used instead of conventional audible signals, like applause, shouts, or booing, because they do not interrupt the speaker using the human microphone, a system where the front of the crowd repeats the speaker so that the content can be heard at the back of the crowd. The signals have been compared to other hand languages used by soldiers, cliques and Wall Street traders.[3]

Between sharing of information on Facebook, Twitter, and other news reports, the hand signals have become common at other Occupy movement protest locations.[4] [5] [6] [7] Some protesters go to neighboring groups to assist in teaching the hand signals along with other general cooperation.[8] There are YouTube videos showing the hand signals, though the signals are not universal at all locations.[9] [10]

Example signals

Meaning Gesture Notes
Agreement"Up twinkles"; both hands raised with fingers pointing up and being wiggled.This handsignal was borrowed from the Green Party, who borrowed it from the ASL word for applause. It may be referred to as simply "twinkles".
Thumbs upSome locations use thumb gestures to show approval, neutrality, or disapproval.
Disagreement"Down twinkles"; arms raised but showing the back of both hands with fingers pointing down and wigglingOne will be asked by the facilitator to clarify one's objection. In Occupy Boston (possibly other sites), down twinkles go by the alternate name of "squid fingers".[11]
Thumbs down
Neutral / unsureFlat handsOne may be asked to clarify one's position.
Thumb to side
Direct responseBoth hands moving alternately front to back on each side of the head, directed at an individualIndicates that critical information was missing from something that was just said.
Clarifying questionSingle hand formed in the shape of a CMeans that a person has a question that needs to be answered before they can vote on an issue.
Point of processTriangle formed by two hands with the tips of index fingers and of thumbs touchingConversation has strayed from the original topic.
Wrap it upBoth hands moved in a circular motion about each otherSuggests that the speaker should make their points and finish speaking.
Raise the roofBoth hands with palms facing up being moved up and down above shoulder levelSuggests that the speaker should speak up.
Hard blockArms up and crossedFirm opposition to the proposal, a break from the consensus that cannot be supported by this individual.

Twinkles and down twinkles are referred to as a "temperature check". They indicate if a group is getting close to consensus. Twinkles are also known as "sparkle" or "jazz hands" or spirit fingers.[12]

Origins

In addition to commonalities with various sign languages, and cultural gestures, these or similar hand signals have been used by other groups and events prior to the Occupy Wall Street protests. These include:

Influence

Some followers of agile software development processes have drawn on the Occupy movement's hand signs in an attempt to improve communication during meetings, notably the UK's Government Digital Service.[18]

After the Occupy movements, these hand signals were used by other social movements such as the School strike for the climate, Ende Gelände and Extinction Rebellion.[19]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Colbert Report. https://web.archive.org/web/20150814015019/http://www.cc.com/shows/the-colbert-report. dead. August 14, 2015. Comedy Central.
  2. http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/52799991-75/park-pioneer-homeless-occupy.html.csp Erin Alberty, “Occupy SLC protesters vilify elite, camp with destitute” The Salt Lake Tribune, October 28, 2011
  3. Web site: Water Cooler Wars: Occupy hand signals » Anderson Independent Mail . Independentmail.com . 2011-11-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140111090311/http://www.independentmail.com/news/2011/nov/11/water-cooler-wars-occupy-hand-signals/ . 2014-01-11 . dead .
  4. Web site: DOUG WARD. Vancouver . Human mike, hand signals unify Occupy Vancouver crowd . Vancouversun.com . 2011-10-17 . 2011-11-17.
  5. Web site: Andrew . Susan . Checking out Occupy Asheville's 'General Assembly' | Mountain Xpress | Asheville, NC . 6 November 2011 . Mountainx.com . 2011-11-17.
  6. News: Hands up, Toronto . thestar.com . 2011-10-22 . 2011-11-17 . Jayme . Poisson.
  7. Web site: The Literature Of Occupy Wall Street | The Prague Post Blogs . Praguepost.com . 2011-11-04 . 2011-11-17.
  8. Web site: Woolfolk . Daniel . Occupy Oceanside to Send Delegates to Occupy North County - Camp Pendleton, CA Patch . Camppendleton.patch.com . 2011-11-04 . 2011-11-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120515062728/http://camppendleton.patch.com/articles/occupy-oceanside-to-send-delegates-to-occupy-north-county . 2012-05-15 . dead .
  9. Web site: ekai . Consensus Decision-Making Hand Signals Explained at #OccupySF . YouTube . 2011-10-05 . 2011-11-17.
  10. Web site: KimBoekbinder . Occupy Wall Street - Hand Signals . YouTube . 2011-11-17.
  11. Web site: Reaching Consensus . October 17, 2011 . May 18, 2012.
  12. Chris Barton "'Occupy Auckland' protest speaks with many voices", New Zealand Herald, October 29, 2011
  13. Book: Polletta, Francesca. Freedom Is an Endless Meeting: Democracy in American Social Movements. May 2, 2004. University of Chicago Press. 9780226674490. Google Books.
  14. Web site: Signos asamblearios. 15Mpedia. 2016-04-20.
  15. News: Howker. Ed. Hands up to protest. Guardian Online. 22 November 2011. 2011-04-10. London.
  16. Pre-Occupied. The origins and future of Occupy Wall Street. . 2011-11-22 . The New Yorker . Mattathias . Schwartz . 2011-11-28.
  17. Book: Ramírez-Blanco, Julia. Artistic Utopias of Revolt. Palgrave. 2018. 978-3-319-71422-6. New York. 72–73.
  18. Web site: Platform as a Service team takes even-handed approach to meetings. GOV.UK GDS. 7 October 2016.
  19. https://www.risingup.org.uk/nvda-handouts NVDA Handouts