That was my point, shorters have been manipulated via bots and...

That was my point, shorters have been manipulated via bots and multiple accounts, classic example here is BoA.
Traders are surely everywhere. Less involved instos, traders take more control. But instos have been involving extensively in 1PG since early last year. At current price, almost all of them are in RED, average cost basis for most of them are above $2. i.e highest holdings Harbour Fund holds 14.77m at average price of $2.43