Snoop Dogg isn’t the only one calling out Facebook’s recent ban of Louis Farrakhan.
On Monday (May 6), the Nation of Islam issued a statement in response to its minister being ousted on social media platforms last week. “The enemy of the truth is afraid of anyone who will speak the truth,” the statement reads. “The decision of Facebook and Instagram to remove his accounts has to be questioned as to the real reason behind it and who is behind it. Only the wicked are afraid when the light of truth appears.”
Farrakhan, who has been criticized for his anti-Semitic and homophobic remarks over the years, was banned on Thursday (May 2) along with other “dangerous” voices, including far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and right-wing media personalities Milo Yiannopoulos and Paul Joseph Watson.
In a statement to CNN Business, a Facebook spokesperson explained the decision, writing, “We’ve always banned individuals or organizations that promote or engage in violence and hate, regardless of ideology. The process for evaluating potential violators is extensive and it is what led us to our decision to remove these accounts today.”
A rally for Farrakhan is planned for 7 pm Thursday (May 9) at St. Sabina Catholic Church in Chicago. Rev. Michael Pfleger, the pastor of St. Sabina, told the Chicago Sun-Times, “We can disagree with each other, but we ought to be able to listen to each other and speak to each other. And I have a real problem when we start to say, ‘We are going to control who you are going to listen to and who you can watch.’” Pfleger also revealed Farrakhan plans to attend the rally.
Meanwhile, Snoop Dogg has stood in solidarity with the 85-year-old who he called a “dear brother” on Instagram. “I stand with him. Ban me motherf—ka. Ban me,” Snoop declared in a post, adding, “I’ma keep posting his s—t. I’ma keep putting Louis Farrakhan out there. That’s my dear brother. F—k y’all that got a problem with him.” See his full post ahead.