Facebook to ban white nationalist, separatist praise

By Michael Hernandez</p> <p>WASHINGTON (AA) – Facebook announced Wednesday it will ban praise and support of white nationalism and white separatism from its platform following a terror attack on two New Zealand mosques that killed at least 50 victims. </p> <p>The ban will take effect beginning next week. </p> <p>Facebook said it made the decision following conversations with experts in race relations with civil society members and academics. </p> <p>&quot;White nationalism and separatism cannot be meaningfully separated from white supremacy and organized hate groups,&quot; Facebook said in explaining the rationale behind its action. &quot;While people will still be able to demonstrate pride in their ethnic heritage, we will not tolerate praise or support for white nationalism and separatism.&quot;</p> <p>Facebook will additionally redirect people who search for white supremacy-associated terms to Life After Hate, a nonprofit organization co-founded by former white nationalists that seeks to help people leave neo-Nazism.</p> <p>While the group received funding from former U.S. President Barack Obama's administration, President Donald Trump halted federal assistance in June 2017.</p> <p>Facebook has been the subject of criticism following the Christchurch, New Zealand attacks during which the terrorist livestreamed his heinous attacks on the social media website.</p> <p>In a statement last week, Facebook said the video received a full 4,000 views before it was taken down, adding it was reported 29 minutes after it started, and 12 minutes after the live broadcast was ended. </p> <p>The statement said none of the 200 people who watched the livebroadcast reported the video to Facebook.</p> <p>At least 50 Muslims were killed and as many injured March 15 when a suspected gunman Brenton Tarrant, 28, entered the Al-Noor and Linwood mosques and shot worshippers in cold blood, including four children.</p> <p>Tarrant has been charged with the white nationalist terror attack and is being held at a maximum-security prison in Auckland with no access to print or online media.