By Sophia Ahmadi, Courier Staff Reporter
A protest started by Shia Labeouf has sparked the attention of people across the world.
“HE WILL NOT DIVIDE US”
These five words are plastered on a wall outside of the Museum of the Moving Image in New York City. Founded by Shia Labeouf, Nastja Säde Rönkkö, and Luke Turner, this movement was created to display a “show of resistance or insistence, opposition or optimism, guided by the spirit of each individual participant and the community.”
Under the painted words, the organization has planted a camera that will remain there until the 45th president is out of office. For twenty-four hours, seven days a week, this camera links to a live stream that can be viewed on their website. (hewillnotdivide.us)
This organization encourages people to visit this site and chant “He will not divide us” consecutively for as long as they can. Since the beginning of the stream on inauguration day, hundreds of people have visited the wall and chanted, sometimes alongside Shia Labeouf himself.
For the first few days, Labeouf remained at the site for over six hours, chanting into the camera and talking to everyone that visited. Since then, there almost hasn’t been a time where the site was vacant. During all hours of the day, groups of New Yorkers have gathered at this site, chanting and singing these words. It has become a place where people feel comfortable to visit and find others with similar opinions and feelings as them. Labeouf, Rönkkö, and Turner have used modern day technology to create a unique platform for people who may have felt victimized by some of the president’s words.
“We’re anti-division out here. Everyone’s invited,” LaBeouf said, rocking back and forth. “I’m just saying, ‘Be nice to each other.’”