Taco Truck Tammy didn’t go viral by accident.
Research from an NBC investigation shows that Russian operatives tried to inflame racial tensions in the United States by spreading the viral video that shows a Lakewood woman threatening to call Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Latina women operating a food truck.
The video was watched more than 16 million times.
The investigative team discovered that a Russian account came up with the name Taco Truck Tammy and then circulated the name, phone number and address on social media with the message, “You know what to do.”
Phil Howard, director of the Oxford Internet Institute, told NBC the Russians’ goal was to get people into the streets — angry and fighting. Neighbors did take to the streets, but not in the way the Russians hoped.
The Dallas chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens organized a lighthearted protest that celebrated the area’s diversity with a mariachi band and, of course, more tacos.
Be sure to treat yourself to some tacos this Taco Tuesday for beating the Russians.
