How we created a DYNAMIC MAP of student protests against the Gaza war
dynamic maps,Gaza,student protests
"From Harvard to UT Austin to USC, college protests over Gaza are spreading" - USA Today
How do you map a mass movement? One that's expanding quickly? Include details on all the protest locations? Make it easy to search the map on a phone or laptop? Let different activist groups add details on their own protests? Include links to calls to action so others can support the movement? Do all this quickly with little money or staff?
This blog explains how we created a 'dynamic' map using ArcGIS Online.
What is a 'dynamic' map?
The information in a 'static' map doesn't change. Like state boundary maps for instance. 'Dynamic' maps on the other hand, change with new information. Weather maps, traffic condition maps are dynamic maps.
How do you create a 'dynamic' map of student protests? This map was designed by volunteers collecting information about protests into a database which is used to create (render) the map. The map changes automatically as information about new protests is entered into the database.
Information about protests is entered directly by volunteers into this database. This approach of spreading the work of collecting and entering data is 'crowdsourcing' and overcomes the challenge of havine one person, or team responsible for updating the map. Learn more about using 'dynamic maps' or request pro bono help in creating dynamic maps for progressive causes here.
Make information easy to find and act on
Why user interface design matters in organizing
The purpose of this map is to provide the latest information about a fast moving situation as student protests expand. Explain the situation and provide links to more information and calls to action. The map provides several options to quickly find details on a protest:
Search visually and click on a dot
Use the search bar to type in an address (like in Emery University in the demo above)
Use the visual bookmarks (like in the example of Northwestern University example above)
Use your GPS location (with the compass icon) which can locate where your phone or laptop is.
Learn more about the student protests against the Gaza war
The movement, which calls for an end to civilian casualties in Gaza, started at Columbia University on April 17. About 100 Columbia students have been arrested, and the protests have been spreading to other colleges in the U.S. and overseas. More than 34,000 deaths have been reported in Gaza since Israel invaded the Gaza Strip after a Hamas attack that killed almost 1,200 people in Israel on Oct. 7. - USA Today
What the backlash to student protests over Gaza is really about - VOX
Students have vowed to stay, no matter the consequences - NY Times
Student protests spread - Al Jazeera
Pro-Palestinian College Protests Across US - Newsweek
College campuses with reported encampments or sit-ins related to the war - Axios
TakeAway: Use dynamic maps to publicize and build support for your cause.
Deepak
DemLabs
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Follow the political motivations
Politician indicted for corruption. Attacks the justice system. Stokes violence. Appeals to religious extremists. All to stay out of jail... Where have we heard this before? Trump? But the playbook belongs to Benjamin Netanyahu.
What were the bribes? Indictments? Who was involved? How does extending his war help keep him out of jail? Connect the dots for yourself with this relationship map.