PewDiePie ends 'subscribe' meme after Christchurch shooter’s shout-out
YouTube star PewDiePie attends the European Premiere of"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" in December 2015 in London. By Meagan Flynn Meagan Flynn Morning Mix reporter Email Bio Follow April 29 at 5:37 AM On the day a gunman killed 50 people at two mosques in the worst terrorist attack in New Zealand history, the shooter also ushered PewDiePie, one of YouTube’s biggest stars, onto an unwanted stage: The terrorist invoked his name.
But until Sunday, he had otherwise remained silent about the entire episode, and about how the worldwide “Subscribe to PewDiePie” fan movement had in some cases been hijacked by those seeking to spread hate. The grass roots effort started harmlessly enough last year, with viral videos and pranks all seeking to promote the channel as the Indian channel T-Series encroached on PewDiePie’s subscriber count. Before long it turned into a full-fledged, worldwide publicity battle for the title. A fellow YouTuber, Mr. Beast, bought billboard ads and radio and television spots to relentlessly promote PewDiePie. A cheerleader squad performed a routine carrying “Subscribe to PewDiePie” signs.
“Just so disgusting, so disappointing to have my name and community dragged into that,” Kjellberg said Sunday. “I addressed it on Twitter. I disavowed it. We saw that it got removed and donated to the park. I hoped that was going to be it.”Two weeks after the New Zealand terrorist invoked his name, Kjellberg uploaded a mock music video targeting T-Series that India’s high court found so offensive that it ordered it blocked within the country.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
PewDiePie wants to end the 'subscribe to PewDiePie' meme after the New Zealand mosque massacreThe Christchurch shooter referred to the 'subscribe to PewDiePie' meme during his livestream of the attack.
Read more »
Opinion | Russian Memes Didn’t Steal the ElectionOpinion: Being influenced by foreign propaganda doesn’t cost citizens their right to vote, writes CrispinSartwell
Read more »
25 Stunning Furniture Before And Afters You've Gotta See To BelieveAnd what you need to recreate them!
Read more »
Sri Lanka bombings were retaliation for Christchurch shooting, defense minister says“Extremist group named National Thawheed Jamaath carried out Sunday's terror attacks in response to terror attacks in Christchurch,' the official said.
Read more »
The Latest: Sri Lanka: Bombings retaliation for ChristchurchSri Lanka's minister of defense says Easter Sunday bombings were 'carried out in retaliation' for attacks on mosques in New Zealand. Ruwan Wijewardene made the comment without providing evidence or explaining where the information came from.
Read more »
Sri Lanka bombings were 'in retaliation' for Christchurch attack, defense minister saysSeven members of the radical Muslim group National Thowfeek Jamaath killed at least 290 people on Easter Sunday, Sri Lankan officials said.
Read more »
Sri Lanka Easter bombings retaliation for Christchurch mosque shootings, says officialThe focus is now on a local Islamist militant group and the international assistance it may have had in planning and coordinating the attacks.
Read more »