Encrypted app utilized for organizing campus protests employed during DNC demonstrations
Telegram has become a platform for organization, with one particularly popular channel also disseminating pro-Hamas content.
TroibNews 
NEW YORK — This week, as demonstrators aim to disrupt the Democratic National Convention in support of Palestine, they are drawing on strategies used in New York City, where university protests were coordinated through an encrypted communication platform.
During the spring, pro-Palestinian groups and student organizations utilized Telegram to circulate instructional guides on building takeovers and rally techniques, update followers about police whereabouts, and occasionally disseminate content supporting Hamas.
The same methods are now being used to organize large-scale protests at the convention. Demonstrators hope to influence Vice President Kamala Harris to adopt a more critical stance toward Israel's actions in Gaza.
“Make it great like ‘68,” one group urged on Telegram, alluding to the significant Vietnam War protests at that year's DNC. “Shut down the DNC for Gaza!”
A post encouraging participation outside the Israeli consulate in Chicago at 7 p.m. on Aug. 20 spread through Resistance News Network, a group monitored by extremism experts. The network promotes itself as dedicated to “our martyrs, prisoners, farmers, resistance, and refugees,” though the Anti Defamation League labels it “a radical antisemitic, anti-Zionist English-language Telegram channel that promotes violence against Israel.”
As of last Friday, the channel had amassed over 166,000 subscribers.
Palestine Action US also shared a week-long protest schedule via Telegram, encompassing breakfasts, film viewings, and rallies. This announcement swiftly followed a controversial press release from Hezbollah celebrating an attack in Syria.
These varied Telegram channels showcase how easily large volumes of data can be exchanged, boosting the visibility of protest efforts. This is particularly relevant for demonstrators wanting to highlight the divisive issues within the Democratic party.
The RNN account kept protestors informed with near real-time updates from conflicts in Gaza, continuously circulating statements by organizations labeled as terrorist by the State Department.
In the spring, this substantial network of Telegram channels was instrumental in initiating student-led protests across Manhattan, which later expanded globally.
As the pro-Palestinian protests unfolded at universities like Columbia, the network facilitated the sharing of tactical manuals, police movements, and ideological essays, greatly enriching the resources available to demonstrators.
Rita Katz, a seasoned analyst from the Israeli military now with the Search for International Terrorist Entities Intelligence Group, expressed concern about the prominence of RNN in disseminating terrorist group content. “RNN serves as a comprehensive clearinghouse for official content from these groups,” Katz stated.
RNN, which continuously posts new content on its Telegram channel, did not return a request for comment.
An RNN post from Oct. 7, purportedly from Hamas, declared, “Today, whoever has a gun, let him bring it out; it’s its [sic] time. Everyone should come out with their trucks, cars, or tools. Today, history opens its most pure and honorable pages.”
While there is no evidence of direct communication between students and the Middle East militant groups featured on RNN, the channel's association with university protests raises significant concerns.
The FBI did not provide specifics on their investigation into RNN but confirmed ongoing collaboration with law enforcement agencies.
Layla Saliba, a Palestinian graduate student at Columbia and protest participant, downplayed the influence of the news network on their actions. “It was a pretty big surprise to see [the network] repost our stuff,” she explained. “That doesn’t mean we’re affiliated with any of those organizations or we have any coordination.”
The student-managed Columbia Encampment account, which accrued over 7,600 followers, functioned as a hub for updates and coordination for protests on campus, visible to anyone who submitted their contact details.
RNN also amplified posts from other student protest channels, linking their followers to ongoing developments in Gaza and student activism globally.Posts from the Columbia Encampment account included updates about police presence and tactics during demonstrations, which were often shared by RNN to reach a broader audience. During events like the tense confrontations with New York Police Department officers on April 18 and April 30, RNN highlighted these occurrences, further intertwining the student protests with the messaging of more radical groups.
In the digital ecosystem of Telegram, collaborations have formed between student movements at various universities. Accounts from institutions such as CUNY and Ohio State even contributed guest posts to RNN, bridging the gap between educational activism and a wider pro-Palestinian narrative. Additionally, on April 24, a student-organized channel from New York University directed its followers to RNN, urging them to stay informed about developments in Gaza.
“Eyes on Gaza, eyes on Rafah, eyes on students everywhere,” read one post, underscoring the interconnectedness of these activist networks. This statement reflected a growing sentiment within student bodies that emphasized the need for solidarity across locations and issues.
As preparations for the DNC ramped up, demonstrators were not just mobilizing in traditional public spaces but were also utilizing social media platforms to galvanize support and coordinate actions. The ability to rapidly disseminate information demonstrates a shift in how protests are organized, allowing for swift adaptability in response to shifting political landscapes.
Activists are drawing parallels between today’s mobilization efforts and historical protests, seeking to evoke the spirit of past movements while addressing modern issues. This connection to history may bolster their cause as they prepare to confront policymakers and party leaders.
The anticipated demonstrations at the DNC are expected to be large and vocal, with organizers aiming to secure attention on their calls for change regarding U.S. policy in the Middle East. Protesters are looking to leverage the publicity surrounding the convention to amplify their message, particularly in light of ongoing tensions and humanitarian concerns in Gaza.
As the week unfolds, the effectiveness of these modern protest strategies—and the extent to which they resonate with a broader audience—will become evident. The role of digital platforms like Telegram in organizing and mobilizing grassroots movements presents both opportunities and challenges, particularly as the potential for radicalization and violent messaging exists within these networks.
Ultimately, the upcoming protests reflect not only the urgency felt by many activists but also a new era of mobilization fueled by technology. The intertwining of campus activism with broader geopolitical issues demonstrates an evolving landscape where students and activists are increasingly aware of their global impact, all while negotiating the complexities of diverse ideological stances within their ranks.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
During the spring, pro-Palestinian groups and student organizations utilized Telegram to circulate instructional guides on building takeovers and rally techniques, update followers about police whereabouts, and occasionally disseminate content supporting Hamas.
The same methods are now being used to organize large-scale protests at the convention. Demonstrators hope to influence Vice President Kamala Harris to adopt a more critical stance toward Israel's actions in Gaza.
“Make it great like ‘68,” one group urged on Telegram, alluding to the significant Vietnam War protests at that year's DNC. “Shut down the DNC for Gaza!”
A post encouraging participation outside the Israeli consulate in Chicago at 7 p.m. on Aug. 20 spread through Resistance News Network, a group monitored by extremism experts. The network promotes itself as dedicated to “our martyrs, prisoners, farmers, resistance, and refugees,” though the Anti Defamation League labels it “a radical antisemitic, anti-Zionist English-language Telegram channel that promotes violence against Israel.”
As of last Friday, the channel had amassed over 166,000 subscribers.
Palestine Action US also shared a week-long protest schedule via Telegram, encompassing breakfasts, film viewings, and rallies. This announcement swiftly followed a controversial press release from Hezbollah celebrating an attack in Syria.
These varied Telegram channels showcase how easily large volumes of data can be exchanged, boosting the visibility of protest efforts. This is particularly relevant for demonstrators wanting to highlight the divisive issues within the Democratic party.
The RNN account kept protestors informed with near real-time updates from conflicts in Gaza, continuously circulating statements by organizations labeled as terrorist by the State Department.
In the spring, this substantial network of Telegram channels was instrumental in initiating student-led protests across Manhattan, which later expanded globally.
As the pro-Palestinian protests unfolded at universities like Columbia, the network facilitated the sharing of tactical manuals, police movements, and ideological essays, greatly enriching the resources available to demonstrators.
Rita Katz, a seasoned analyst from the Israeli military now with the Search for International Terrorist Entities Intelligence Group, expressed concern about the prominence of RNN in disseminating terrorist group content. “RNN serves as a comprehensive clearinghouse for official content from these groups,” Katz stated.
RNN, which continuously posts new content on its Telegram channel, did not return a request for comment.
An RNN post from Oct. 7, purportedly from Hamas, declared, “Today, whoever has a gun, let him bring it out; it’s its [sic] time. Everyone should come out with their trucks, cars, or tools. Today, history opens its most pure and honorable pages.”
While there is no evidence of direct communication between students and the Middle East militant groups featured on RNN, the channel's association with university protests raises significant concerns.
The FBI did not provide specifics on their investigation into RNN but confirmed ongoing collaboration with law enforcement agencies.
Layla Saliba, a Palestinian graduate student at Columbia and protest participant, downplayed the influence of the news network on their actions. “It was a pretty big surprise to see [the network] repost our stuff,” she explained. “That doesn’t mean we’re affiliated with any of those organizations or we have any coordination.”
The student-managed Columbia Encampment account, which accrued over 7,600 followers, functioned as a hub for updates and coordination for protests on campus, visible to anyone who submitted their contact details.
RNN also amplified posts from other student protest channels, linking their followers to ongoing developments in Gaza and student activism globally.Posts from the Columbia Encampment account included updates about police presence and tactics during demonstrations, which were often shared by RNN to reach a broader audience. During events like the tense confrontations with New York Police Department officers on April 18 and April 30, RNN highlighted these occurrences, further intertwining the student protests with the messaging of more radical groups.
In the digital ecosystem of Telegram, collaborations have formed between student movements at various universities. Accounts from institutions such as CUNY and Ohio State even contributed guest posts to RNN, bridging the gap between educational activism and a wider pro-Palestinian narrative. Additionally, on April 24, a student-organized channel from New York University directed its followers to RNN, urging them to stay informed about developments in Gaza.
“Eyes on Gaza, eyes on Rafah, eyes on students everywhere,” read one post, underscoring the interconnectedness of these activist networks. This statement reflected a growing sentiment within student bodies that emphasized the need for solidarity across locations and issues.
As preparations for the DNC ramped up, demonstrators were not just mobilizing in traditional public spaces but were also utilizing social media platforms to galvanize support and coordinate actions. The ability to rapidly disseminate information demonstrates a shift in how protests are organized, allowing for swift adaptability in response to shifting political landscapes.
Activists are drawing parallels between today’s mobilization efforts and historical protests, seeking to evoke the spirit of past movements while addressing modern issues. This connection to history may bolster their cause as they prepare to confront policymakers and party leaders.
The anticipated demonstrations at the DNC are expected to be large and vocal, with organizers aiming to secure attention on their calls for change regarding U.S. policy in the Middle East. Protesters are looking to leverage the publicity surrounding the convention to amplify their message, particularly in light of ongoing tensions and humanitarian concerns in Gaza.
As the week unfolds, the effectiveness of these modern protest strategies—and the extent to which they resonate with a broader audience—will become evident. The role of digital platforms like Telegram in organizing and mobilizing grassroots movements presents both opportunities and challenges, particularly as the potential for radicalization and violent messaging exists within these networks.
Ultimately, the upcoming protests reflect not only the urgency felt by many activists but also a new era of mobilization fueled by technology. The intertwining of campus activism with broader geopolitical issues demonstrates an evolving landscape where students and activists are increasingly aware of their global impact, all while negotiating the complexities of diverse ideological stances within their ranks.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
