In the midst of deep political and social division, Twitter users in Rochester can all agree on at least one thing:
#ROC is our hashtag.
On Monday, a nonprofit group called America First Policies announced a continued push to repeal the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, and started using the hashtag #ROC to spread their message on social media.
Meet the #ROC Representatives working to END disastrous Obamacare. Show your support and sign the petition, now: https://t.co/FoFucsP5g5 pic.twitter.com/ul9nrqi6gd
— America First Works (@America1stWorks) April 18, 2017
The acronym is supposed to stand for Repeal Obamacare Caucus, or just Repeal ObamaCare.
Twitter users from Rochester immediately caught on, and started fighting to reclaim their unofficial digital trademark.
Dear @AmericaFirstPol, the #ROC refers to Rochester NY (or anything # w/ ROC in it). Not your ideology.
— Jim Marchetti (@jimmarchetti) April 18, 2017
Things Rochester has lost. Kodak Bonus Time sales, Gold Circle and our hashtag apparently #ROC
— Hey Covid19 thats retha franklin (@drink4drink) April 18, 2017
Rochesterians today, looking at the #ROC hastag: pic.twitter.com/sc14FyWgI2
— The Management of this Cinema Welcomes You (@JackFeerick) April 18, 2017
A few users got political...
Hello @AmericaFirstPol, please choose a hashtag: #61stTimeIsTheCharm: ✖️#ROC: ✔️#UnaffordableCareActAmIRite: ✖️#WellGetItThisTime: ✖️
— Scott Fairbanks (@Sxottlan) April 19, 2017
...or just silly.
The #roc absolutely does not want this. We want a garbage plate and a Jolt Cola. https://t.co/JjuP132T7e
— DragonFlyEye (@dragonflyeye) April 18, 2017
You can have the #FastFerry hashtag, @AmericaFirstPol. #roc
— I’m the Medley Centre, Dammit (@MedleyCentre) April 19, 2017
These two couldn't pass up an opportunity to draw attention to a couple of Rochester's most famous residents.
Great Americans from Rochester, NY -- Susan B Anthony and Frederick Douglass. #ROC pic.twitter.com/qvpLcfAw0M
— Ginny Maier (@Vbmaier) April 18, 2017
It turned into an all-out #ROC love fest.
#ROC is Rochester. Rochester is... pic.twitter.com/RhgO3iWdp4
— Murphypop (@kawaiinot) April 18, 2017
I rarely hashtag, but this is a good reason. #ROC is about lilacs, garbage plates, beer, fast ferries and yes, Rusted Root.
— Vexed Patriarch (@VexedPatriarch) April 18, 2017
The one and only #ROC pic.twitter.com/Hk5RLFCUjP
— mango (@Mango1531) April 19, 2017
(Even this WXXI Reporter couldn't resist joining the fun.)
this is #roc pic.twitter.com/8OmaNbEG9c
— veronica volk (@volkveronica) April 18, 2017
#ROC Twitter FTW.