What's The 'Water Jug Bonking Police' Meme? The Pro-Palestine And ACAB Symbol Explained

A viral video of a police officer being hit with a water jug has spawned a new symbol for anti-police brutality and pro-Palestinian protestors all across American universities.

The original video is from California Polytechnic State University, Humboldt (Cal Poly Humboldt) where students were occupying one of the campus' buildings as police tore down their barricade. As the video has spread on Twitter / X, TikTok and other social media platforms, the symbol of the so-called "jug of justice" is spreading, along with the catchphrase, "Bonk the police."

So, where was the original video posted? How is this meme spreading and why is it resonating with people? Let's explain.

Who Took The Original Video?

The original video was a part of a Facebook livestream filmed by the account Redheaded Blackbelt last Monday. The intense scene took place at California Polytechnic State University, Humboldt (Cal Poly Humboldt) in Humboldt County, California. Redheaded Blackbelt is an independent freelance reporting outlet.

What happened was Cal Poly Humboldt students occupied the school's Siemens Hall with demands related to divestment and disclosure, echoing those from Columbus University and other student-led protests happening around the country.

When police arrived in riot gear, they dismantled the students' barricade and pressed on through the doorway. The students tried to hold their line with one of them, holding an empty water jug, using it to bonk one of the cops on the head repeatedly.

What's The 'Water Jug Bonk' Meme?

The video went viral via reposts that spread across Twitter / X in the following days. The water jug became a symbol for the pro-Palestine and ACAB movements, using the juxtaposition between a policeman's weapon (like a baton or gun) and the DIY, grassroots water jug.

Meme creators and artists have since Photoshopped the water jug into notable, anti-establishment imagery. Others have added funny sound effects to the original video. The more musically inclined have created songs about the viral moment.

How Are Water Jugs Being Used In Protests?

Since the viral video, student-led protests at American universities have continued, centered on pro-Palestinian sentiments amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. In turn, the "water jug" symbol has been adopted by protestors in real life.

Some are bringing water jugs with them, writing ACAB statements on them. Others have utilized the water jug to stop sprinklers from disrupting their groups.

One of the ways protesters have stopped sprinklers from spraying themselves

They’re now chanting “water is life” pic.twitter.com/raDXkkJeiv

— Rachel Louise Just (@RLJnews) April 26, 2024

For the full history of the "Jug of Justice" and "Bonk the police," be sure to check out Know Your Meme's entry for even more information.