By: V4 Agency
Citing repeated violations of its terms and policies, Facebook has restricted the accounts of some public figures who had openly endorsed a right-wing anti-migration group. The organisation staged a demonstration over the weekend, accompanied by the counter-protests of far-left groups who clashed with police.
Social media giant Facebook has always made it clear that it does not sympathise with the views of the French anti-migration group Generation Identitaitre. It is now evident that it does not tolerate the organisation’s supporters either, as suggested by the fact that Facebook has censored the accounts of Jordan Bardella, a member of the National Rally and Marion Marechal, who is National Rally President Marine Le Pen’s niece. Ms Le Pen is one of France’s most popular politicians.
They both announced on Twitter what happened after they had publicly stood up for the anti-migrant group that the interior minister intends to disband. Facebook only made a brief statement, writing that the content of the accounts had been removed for non-compliance with the site’s terms of use and geenral policies.
Right-wing politician Jordan Bardella complained that Facebook had arbitrarily deleted his posts condemning the government’s steps against personal freedoms and advocating free speech.
Mr Bardella is not the only one to be censored by Facebook. Marion Marechal, who is Marine Le Pen’s niece and the director of the French Institute of Sociology, Economics and Political Science (ISSEP), also received a similar, rather unpleasant surprise. Ms Marechal announced on Twitter that Facebook had blocked her account after she posted a message in support of Generation Identitaire. She pointed out that GAFAM is engaged in ideological and political censorship without any legal framework and directed her followers to another platform as a temporary solution.
Marion Marechal’s aunt, Marine Le Pen, also took to Twitter to speak out for Generation Identitaire. She argued that it would be rather problematic if all the organisations that spell out the truth were to be suspended or dissolved. Further, she called on President Emmanuel Macron to fulfil his duty to protect the freedoms and rights of French citizens.
Facebook appears to have realised that they have gone too far as Marion Marechal’s page was restored after a few hours of being suspended, something the politician was keen to announce herself.
Generaton Identitaire staged a pre-announced demonstration in Paris on Saturday, attended by some 1,500 to 2,000 people, to protest against the government’s intention to dissolve the organisation.
However, the peaceful rally was disrupted by far-left activists who organised a counter-demonstration against the movement. While Generation Identitaire had obtained a permit from police to hold a demonstration, the counter-protest was unauthorised. Nevertheless, several dozen left-wing “anti-fascists” took to the streets to protest against the right-wing group. Some even clashed with police, but they were swiftly subdued.
