FACEBOOK REMOVES PAGE FOR HOMOPHOBIA VICTIM
Social networking site Facebook has removed a group dedicated to Michael Causer, who was beaten to death in a homophobic attack last year, for no apparent reason.
“We don’t know why it has gone. My nephew Christopher, who set it up, was told by Facebook it broke their terms and conditions but we don’t know how,” Michael’s mother Marie Causer told PinkNews.co.uk.
The memorial group had around 7 000 members. “It was full of beautiful messages for Michael and for us. It’s so sad, especially when it had so many photos of Michael and it’s coming up to the first anniversary of his death,” Marie Causer said.
The Court of Appeal last month declined to impose a custodial sentence on a teenager who lied to police about his involvement on the attack on Michael.
His other attackers include Michael Binsteed, who was given a suspended sentence and community service for perverting the cause of justice; Gavin Alker, who admitted he had beaten Michael but said he acted in self-defence and was cleared of the murder; and James O’Connor, who pleaded guilty to Michael’s murder and was sentenced to a minimum of 11 years in prison.
The Causer family is urging the general public to e-mail facebook and ask for the group to be re-instated.
…… This is typical of social networking sites such as Facebook. I’ve reported many homophobic groups and cyberbullying groups and to date they still exist. Even YouTube has made it increasingly difficult to report abuse and / or homophobic comments made by users.
Groups created on FB should be monitored and approved before being made “live” to reduce the amount of hate speech (and some of it not always aimed at the LGBT community) that is presently on social networking sites. FB should be ashamed for allowing this particular rememberance group for Michael Causer to be deleted without reason. It’s disgusting!