UPDATE (8/21/15): The Instagram account has been deleted following the backlash.
See original story from 8/20/15 below.
A group called Project Harpoon is getting a lot of backlash for their attempt to fat-shame plus-size women. The group that claims to promote skinny acceptance has taken to social media to share images of models, celebrities, and regular people who have been photoshopped to look thinner.
Their digitally altered photos, which have been used without permission, are presented alongside the original ones with ridiculous captions like "From thunder thighs to dayum look at those thighs guys! She could be a winner."
Although the Facebook page has only been around for a week, it has attracted over 10,000 likes. The leader of the account Nick Baskins defends their movement to People saying, "Our intention is not to harm, oppress, or 'trigger' anyone … We get dozens of messages a day talking about how our photos have inspired them to go to the gym and maintain a better lifestyle." He also said that they don't believe it is okay to be obese.
The group appears to have started on Reddit where users have been submitting their photoshopped images.