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Public Emotions and the Affective Forces of Social Activism, Vol. 32 - 2025, No. 2
The Dynamics of Emotional Attachments and Identity Formation within Protest Movements: Exploring Expressive Behaviours during the Nigeria’s Protests
This research explores the emotional dynamics across the phases of protests against violence committed by Nigeria’s Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). Our research explores how expressions on digital platforms and activists’ personal reflections reflect the changing emotions of protesters and how emotions evolve with the formation of collective identities. Through an analysis of Twitter posts using #EndSARS (October 2020), we explore how young Nigerians overcame ethnic and religious societal divisions and organised a coordinated campaign against police brutality, humiliation, corruption and deprivation. By mapping the emotions in Twitter posts chronologically, we find distinct phases of the protest reflected in the expressions of activists. Initially, the mood was frustration and sadness, but this evolved into anger as young Nigerians shared tales of injustice and victimhood. As the mood intensified a collective identity formed around one Nigeria. Despite fear of reprisals and repression Nigerians took to the streets and developed a bond of trust founded on expressions of shared identity and commitment. Support was gained within and beyond their immediate localities leading to an upsurge in joy and pride and the anticipation of success. Hence, we offer a model of emotional engagement in protest movements which can form hypotheses for future analysis.
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