Update: The MRCTV's Twitter suspension was lifted on 3/29/23
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Despite Musk’s promises to protect free speech, Twitter silenced the Media Research Center and other free speech advocates who simply commented on the leftist ‘Trans Day of Vengeance’ event.
Twitter locked 11 pro-free speech journalists, politicians, and leaders out of their Twitter accounts for reporting on the infamous ‘Trans Day of Vengeance’ protest organized by Our Rights DC set to happen between March 31 and April 2. The censorship targeted accounts like The Media Research Center, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), The Federalist CEO Sean Davis and The Daily Wire podcast host Michael Knowles, among others. The platform’s active censorship appears to reveal that free speech is still being muzzled on Twitter.
Media Research Center President Brent Bozell blasted Twitter for its blatant censorship of a major news story. "Does Elon Musk know what his team is up to? Reporting on a 'Trans Day of Vengeance' right after the Nashville tragedy is important news,” he said. “Twitter should immediately remove these suspensions and explain what happened."
Twitter’s Vice President of Trust and Safety Ella Irwin explained the sweeping censorship related to tweets promoting the Trans Day of Vengeance. However, Irwin neglected to explain why those calling attention to the disturbing protest were also censored. “We had to automatically sweep our platform and remove >5000 tweets /retweets of this poster,” she wrote. “We do not support tweets that incite violence irrespective of who posts them. ‘Vengeance’ does not imply peaceful protest. Organizing or support for peaceful protests is ok.”
MRC Free Speech Vice President Dan Schneider ripped apart Twitter’s excuse:
“Twitter’s blatant hypocrisy is breathtaking. Just last week, liberals were on Twitter attacking Donald Trump for calling for protests in New York if he got indicted, but Twitter is now freezing accounts of conservatives who are simply reporting on planned protests by the left in Washington.”
Twitter locked the account of the Media Research Center’s video production division, MRCTV, after it called attention to the radical event. “‘A Trans Day of Vengeance' was planned to take place in DC this weekend, days after the Tennessee shooting by a transgender male. One of the event's organizers, however, has made all of their social media accounts private and removed details of the event," MRCTV tweeted. The tweet linked to an MRCTV article about the so-called protest.
The platform also locked the Media Research Center’s primary account when it posted the same MRCTV article. “Currently there is no word if the ‘Trans Day of Vengeance’ will still assemble. @OurRightsDC,” the Media Research Center tweeted.
Twitter removed both the MRC and MRCTV tweets and claimed that each included “violent speech” and scolded that the accounts “may not share abusive content, harass someone, or encourage other people to do so.” The platform is demanding that the Media Research Center delete the tweets before reinstating their accounts.
MRC Free Speech America will soon release a study that suggests that the rank-and-file employees at Twitter are in open revolt against the vision Musk articulated for the platform. Rather than building an environment where free speech is allowed to flourish at Twitter, employees continue to silence conservatives and censor opinions that run contrary to the woke agenda supported by so many in Silicon Valley.
Elon Musk’s Twitter additionally targeted Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. The platform locked her Twitter account for 7 days after she condemned a post that promoted the leftist event. "Antifa is organizing a Trans Day of Vengeance. Right after a Trans killed people including children at a Christian elementary school in a mass shooting,” she tweeted according to screenshots. “Does everyone understand that Antifa is an organized and funded terrorist group that brings violence and terror for every cause..."
Twitter even censored a Bible verse condemning vengeance. Yes, you read that right. Daily Wire host Michael Knowles posted a Bible verse alongside the Day of Vengeance promotional graphic calling attention to the protest. "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God; for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord,’" he tweeted.
Federalist CEO Sean Davis’s account was locked for tying the tragic mass murder at a Christian school in Nashville, Tennessee to the “Trans Day of Vengeance” that would occur just days later.
Others punished by the indiscriminate censorship included: RedState’s editor-at-large Ben Kew, the Daily Wire’s investigative reporter Luke Rosiak, The Post Millennial and its senior editor Angy Ngo, podcaster and journalist James Lindsay, and radio host Andrew Wilkow.
The censorship seems to be yet another symptom that despite Elon Musk’s promises to safeguard free speech, censorship campaigns still run rampant on Twitter.
Researcher and video creator Paiten Iselin, independent contractor and analyst Heather Moon and independent contractor Catherine Salgado contributed to this report.
Conservatives are under attack. Contact Twitter at 415-222-9670 and demand that Big Tech be held to account to mirror the First Amendment and provide clarity on “hate speech” and an equal footing for conservatives. If you have been censored, contact us at the Media Research Center contact form, and help us hold Big Tech accountable.
