Visual Communication for Activism: The case of the EndSARS protests in Nigeria

Proceedings of The 4th International Academic Conference on Research in Social Sciences

Year: 2021

DOI:

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Visual Communication for Activism: The case of the EndSARS protests in Nigeria

Awopetu Ifeoluwa, Aseniserare Ayobami

ABSTRACT: 

Visual communication plays an important role in the human society today. It serves as a viable medium and tool for activism and protest movements. Using Kress and van Leeuwen’s (2006) theory of visual grammar as a framework, this study examines how visual images could serve as an effective tool for activism and protest movements by analysing selected images of the 2020 EndSARS protests in Nigeria.

The study shows that the representation of visual elements such as objects, persons and events in these images suggest a dominating participation of young people during the events, as well as a depiction of law enforcements agents, the police, as oppositions to the activities of the protests, which gives insights into the essence of protests struggles which is a fight against police brutality especially towards the youth . This study further reiterates the effectiveness of visuals such as protest images for activism as it does not only help in communicating the concerns, rage and demands of protesters but could also serve as a narrative and documentation of the protest events.

keywords: image; narrative,  police brutality; representational meaning; visual grammar.