Facebook has removed almost 200 accounts connected to white supremacist groups that were trying to rally supporters to attend protests over police violence against black people, the Associated Press reported. The accounts in question were linked to two hate groups Facebook had already banned, the Proud Boys and the American Guard.
Facebook was already gearing up to remove the accounts, but its hand was forced when it became clear these members were planning to stoke tensions in light of anti-racism protests sweeping the US. They not only intended to rally members to attend protests, but sometimes were “preparing to go with weapons,” according to Facebook counterterrorism director Brian Fishman.
The measure came soon after Facebook cracked down on “boogaloo” groups, some of which include racists, as well as white supremacists who tried to pose as antifa members.
Facebook has been stepping up its anti-hate efforts in recent months, including banning more groups and implementing AI to detect hate speech. However, the current circumstances are putting Facebook’s policies to the test it’s clearly determined to show that it can not only take action against hate, but move quickly enough to limit attempts to fuel violence.
