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initiative, referendum, and recall international affairs social media

Somebody … to Squelch

I AMsomebody!

… with an officially “restricted” Facebook account.

I’d like to thank my family and friends for always believing in me — even many decades ago when it was unclear if I had what it takes to even get arrested. And now, after repeated validation per that previous metric, comes my crowning Internet-​era achievement: running afoul of the information-​squelching policy of massive Meta censorship. 

I’m deeply humbled by the recognition. 

“Your post didn’t follow our Community Standards” was all the information provided. It flagged a post of nearly a month earlier.

“Tomorrow is the big day for the first city — London — to take part in the Punjab Referendum organized by Sikhs for Justice,” my October 30th post read. “It will be a long day … but so glad to be part of the international commission advising on best practices, monitoring the actual voting and issuing a report.” Five photos of a meeting and a handout promoting the referendum adorned the post. 

An “Account Restricted” label appeared on my homepage with the note: “Only you can see this.” 

The ban stops me from personally “going live” or “advertising” for 30 days. Two things I don’t do. 

But let’s not allow the absurdity of it all to mask what’s happening: Voices that do not fit the official government-​induced corporate narrative are harassed and silenced in a major avenue for communication. 

The too-​often-​violent situation in the Punjab region of India, what many Sikhs call “Khalistan,” is tense. The non-​binding, non-​governmental referendum I posted about has been outlawed by India’s government. 

Blocking and punishing posts that speak truthfully about a democratic approach to that ugly division hardly solves the problem.

It works in this case (and others) to prevent a peaceful resolution.

This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.


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2 replies on “Somebody … to Squelch”

You’re apparently in good company. Many people who go against the grain have been restricted or even banned. I have never had a Facebook or Twitter account and don’t plan to.
My thanks to you and many of your colleagues who operate independent websites where freedom of expression is championed. You provide us with information that the corporate MSM will block if it can.

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