Meme Overview

The CNN 'Fiery But Mostly Peaceful Protests' meme features altered screenshots of CNN's reporting on the Jacob Blake protests, particularly highlighting the juxtaposition of serious events with humorous or absurd visuals.

Background

This meme format satirizes CNN's coverage of the protests following the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin. It typically features CNN reporter Omar Jimenez alongside a headline that reads, 'Fiery but Mostly Peaceful Protests After Police Shooting.' The background images are often photoshopped to include scenes from various media or historical events, enhancing the satirical nature of the format. The meme gained traction on multiple platforms in late August 2020, following the airing of CNN's original coverage.

How It Began

The meme originated from a clip during CNN’s coverage of the Jacob Blake protests on August 25, 2020, where Omar Jimenez reported from Kenosha. The memorable scene shows him reporting with burning cars in the background as the headline reads, 'Fiery but Mostly Peaceful Protests After Police Shooting.' Although the precise first instance of this format is unclear, it appeared online by August 27, 2020, with notable posts, including one by the Facebook page Operation Butthurt Memes that humorously edited the background to depict the Titanic sinking.

Meme Evolution

Following its initial spread, the meme format rapidly gained popularity across various social media platforms. On August 27, 2020, the Facebook page Sargon of Akkad shared a version referencing JFK’s assassination, garnering significant engagement, while another Instagram post referenced the burning of the White House during the War of 1812. Tweets and posts from users on Twitter and FunnyJunk further contributed to the meme's viral status. Notably, a satirical article from The Babylon Bee also highlighted the trend, emphasizing the cultural impact of CNN's original headline.