Women’s Advocacy Group Responds to Facebook Upholding Ban on Donald Trump’s Account
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, May 5, 2021
CONTACT: Anna Zuccaro | anna@unbendablemedia.com
Women’s Advocacy Group Responds to Facebook Upholding Ban on Donald Trump’s Account
UltraViolet Says Facebook Must Ban Trump Permanently; Anything Less is Not Enough
WASHINGTON, DC — Moments ago, Facebook’s ‘Oversight Board’ announced that it will uphold Facebook’s decision to ban former President Donald Trump as a result of his incitement of a deadly riot at the United States Capitol on January 6.
In response to the announcement, Bridget Todd, Communications Director at the national women’s advocacy group UltraViolet, released the following statement:
“Five people had to die in order for Facebook to suspend Donald Trump’s account, which he used to spread racist, misogynistic, anti-semitic, anti-immigrant and hateful rhetoric on top of lies and conspiracy theories to millions of people for years.
“While we commend the decision to uphold this ban, such action comes far too late for the millions of Ameican’s who have been impacted by Trump’s lies and deceptive content. Facebook always had the power to act, and it failed to do so.
“Let’s be clear, the white nationalist insurrection at the Capitol on January 6th is a direct result of Facebook’s failure to uphold its own community standards.
“Events like the ‘Unite the Right’ rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, a synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the attack at a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, violent threats to election workers in Georgia, and the recent plan to assault Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer all had their roots in disinformation spread on Facebook. UltraViolet and our allies have petitioned, emailed, met with Facebook staff, and raised red flags during countless campaigns over instances of hate speech, disinformation, calls for violence, and conspiracy theories that continue to permeate on this platform – and in multiple languages.
“Our message to Facebook leadership is simple: do better. Take responsibility, rather than hiding behind an Oversight Board to create the illusion of accountability. Facebook needs to ban Trump permanently, today. Anything short of a permanent ban is not enough. For too long, Facebook has put profit and user engagement before human life, and today does little to change that.”
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