As a fan, there’s nothing worse than seeing your favorite show or character get canceled. Fans have a long history of protesting these cancellations with letter-writing campaigns, billboards and even hunger strikes. For many fans, their favorite shows provide community and an identity that’s linked to their own sense of self. Losing that connection can feel like a loss of identity, which is why they often fight to keep their shows alive.
This week, Crystal Palace supporters took to the streets to protest their club’s owner and a decision by Uefa to demote them from Europa League competition. The fans walked in to Selhurst Park wearing white shirts and carrying banners, including one that read “Uefa: morally bankrupt” and another that called out the club’s owner, American businessman John Textor.
While the group’s protest was not as large as some other tifos, it still had a big impact. It’s a small example of a larger trend in fans using sports as a platform for social change. Several fan groups have formed around political causes, from the Harry Potter Alliance to the Racebending Movement and Nerdfighteria.
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