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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Facebook takes down racist page | Facebook takes down racist page |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| Racist comments celebrating the abuse of ethnic minority flower sellers on dedicated pages of popular social networking sites have been condemned. | Racist comments celebrating the abuse of ethnic minority flower sellers on dedicated pages of popular social networking sites have been condemned. |
| A page called "abusing Belfast rose sellers" has been removed from Facebook after the company said it contained a "direct call for violence". | A page called "abusing Belfast rose sellers" has been removed from Facebook after the company said it contained a "direct call for violence". |
| The author of a Bebo page on the same theme boasted that they had "physically harmed" immigrants in Belfast. | The author of a Bebo page on the same theme boasted that they had "physically harmed" immigrants in Belfast. |
| Bebo has since confirmed that the page has been taken down from their site. | |
| 'Scum' | 'Scum' |
| The author of the page, which was created in January, had invited readers to leave comments about how they would deter flower sellers. | |
| They asked "do you do as we have done and physically harm them in ways to make them regret bothering you?" | |
| A Bebo spokeswoman said the company educated its users to be responsible and "to understand that they are not anonymous online as their activity creates a digital record of behaviour which can be used to assist law enforcement if required". | |
| On the Facebook page, rose sellers were called "scum" and one man described how his friend urinated on a Romanian woman. | 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". | 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 added. | "This group violates our terms and so it has been removed," she added. |
| 'Hateful comments' | 'Hateful comments' |
| Shortly before the Facebook 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". | Anna Lo, Northern Ireland's only ethnic minority Assembly member, said the racist comments must be "condemned outright". |
| Police response | Police 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 PSNI spokeswoman said: "We do not monitor internet sites on a daily basis. | A PSNI 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. |