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Racism on Facebook page condemned Facebook takes down racist page
(about 1 hour later)
Racists comments celebrating the abuse of ethnic minority flower sellers on a dedicated Facebook page must be "condemned outright", an MLA has said. Racist comments celebrating the abuse of ethnic minority flower sellers on dedicated pages of popular social networking sites have been condemned.
Anna Lo, Northern Ireland's only ethnic minority Assembly member, was reacting to a group called "abusing Belfast rose sellers" on the social networking site. A page called "abusing Belfast rose sellers" has been removed from Facebook after the company said it contained a "direct call for violence".
On the page, rose sellers were called "scum" and one man described how his friend urinated on a Romanian woman. The author of a Bebo page on the same theme boasted that they had "physically harmed" immigrants in Belfast.
When contacted, Facebook said the page had been removed from their site. The Bebo page was created in January and is still available online.
A spokeswoman for the company said they had taken the incident "especially seriously because there was a direct call for violence". 'Scum'
The author invites readers to leave comments about how they would deter flower sellers and asks "do you do as we have done and physically harm them in ways to make them regret bothering you?"
On the Facebook page, rose sellers were called "scum" and one man described how his friend urinated on a Romanian woman.
When contacted, a Facebook spokeswoman said they had taken the incident "especially seriously because there was a direct call for violence".
"We want Facebook to be a place where people can openly discuss issues and express their views, while respecting the rights and feelings of others."We want Facebook to be a place where people can openly discuss issues and express their views, while respecting the rights and feelings of others.
"This group violates our terms and so it has been removed," she said. "This group violates our terms and so it has been removed," she added.
'Hateful comments''Hateful comments'
Shortly before the page was taken down on Monday afternoon, the group had 372 "fans". Shortly before the Facebook page was taken down on Monday afternoon, the group had 372 "fans".
The well-known blogger and former SDLP advisor, Conall McDevitt, said the site was full of "hateful comments" and appeared to be the work of "a sad group of students".The well-known blogger and former SDLP advisor, Conall McDevitt, said the site was full of "hateful comments" and appeared to be the work of "a sad group of students".
He added that he thought it was time for the Assembly to look into online bullying.He added that he thought it was time for the Assembly to look into online bullying.
One contributor to the Facebook page wrote: "I tend to get one or two in a headlock after a night out."One contributor to the Facebook page wrote: "I tend to get one or two in a headlock after a night out."
Another posted: "If you talk to them in a Borat accent and pretend that they are Jews, its quite effective."Another posted: "If you talk to them in a Borat accent and pretend that they are Jews, its quite effective."
The most abusive comments contained offensive language and cannot be transcribed on this site.The most abusive comments contained offensive language and cannot be transcribed on this site.
In some cases, the contributors' comments were accompanied by their photos.In some cases, the contributors' comments were accompanied by their photos.
Not everyone who posted comments on the site agreed with the general theme of the thread however.Not everyone who posted comments on the site agreed with the general theme of the thread however.
One accused other contributors of racism and told them to "get a life".One accused other contributors of racism and told them to "get a life".
Anna Lo, Northern Ireland's only ethnic minority Assembly member, said the racist comments must be "condemned outright".
Police responsePolice response
When contacted about the content of the page, the police said they were not aware of any complaints.When contacted about the content of the page, the police said they were not aware of any complaints.
A PNSI spokeswoman said: "We do not monitor internet sites on a daily basis.A PNSI spokeswoman said: "We do not monitor internet sites on a daily basis.
"However, we will take appropriate action where we receive a complaint of a criminal offence committed within our jurisdiction.""However, we will take appropriate action where we receive a complaint of a criminal offence committed within our jurisdiction."
Earlier this year, Roma families fled their homes in south Belfast after they said they had been intimidated by racists.Earlier this year, Roma families fled their homes in south Belfast after they said they had been intimidated by racists.