Ruben Gisbert faces backlash as sole visible online activist

Ruben Gisbert: The only one stepping up and the target of all criticism

Ruben Gisbert may not be the most polished activist, but he is the only one showing his face. In recent hours, his name has become the center of a controversy pitting those who applaud his decision to propose actions on social media against those who consider this not activism, but mere posturing.

The critics' argument is direct: "showing your face on social media is an segarro; you show your face in the street." They add that Gisbert seems like a YouTuber looking for his big break, with gelled hair and a newly grown mustache. In response, his defenders argue that he has organized more demonstrations than his detractors will see in their lifetime, and that being in the street "gets you covered in plaster," a graphic way to remind everyone that protest leaves a mark.

The background is significant. If Gisbert is the only one taking risks, what does that say about the rest? The suspicion that digital activism serves to build a personal brand coexists with the evidence that without public exposure, it is difficult to articulate a collective response. The strategy divides opinion: some see a genuine agitator; others, an opportunist with a megaphone.

The fact remains that, to date, no one else has taken the step. The uncomfortable question hanging in the air is: if Gisbert disappeared tomorrow, who would take his place? For now, the streets are still waiting.