#BanMilo v #FreeMilo: Yiannopoulos Twitter ban splits internet
Supporters and critics of conservative commentator Milo Yiannopoulos, who was permanently booted off Twitter for his alleged role in whipping up a frenzy of hate towards Ghostbusters star Leslie Jones, are going head to head online.
#FreeMilo and #PrayForMilo have been trending in support of the controversial writer while #BanMilo has been used to back the decision to axe him from the microblogging site.
#WatchingTheHawks: @TabethaWatching weighs-in on #FreeMilo, #BanMilo controversy. READ MORE: https://t.co/dJ5kEWFKo9pic.twitter.com/rWEsuX3Zfo
— RT America (@RT_America) July 20, 2016
On Monday, actress and comedian Jones received a slew of abusive, sexist and racist tweets, some of which were sent by followers of Yiannopoulos. He had written a controversial review of the new Ghostbusters film where he described her as “a black character worthy of a minstrel show” before becoming involved in a Twitter spat with the 48-year-old.
I leave Twitter tonight with tears and a very sad heart.All this cause I did a movie.You can hate the movie but the shit I got today...wrong
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) July 19, 2016
Breitbart’s tech editor, who addressed the ‘Gays For Trump’ event at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, is no stranger to run-ins with Twitter.
READ MORE: Verify me: Breitbart journalist lobbies White House over lost Twitter checkmark
He lost his ‘blue tick’ status back in January for his role in the ‘Gamergate’ controversy and had his @Nero handle temporarily suspended last month over apparent anti-Islamic messages.
Yet many conservatives are outraged at what they see as the social network’s consistent bias against users of a right-wing standpoint.
Won't ban ISIS or Ddos group twitter accounts but ban Milo and conservatives. Disgraceful. #FreeMilo#PrayForMilo#JeSuisMilo
— El Dono (@Rokakku) July 20, 2016
Hey I have a different opinion to what's normal!
— Jack Star (@JackStar016) July 20, 2016
*immediately banned*#FreeMilo#JeSuisMilo#PrayForMilo@Nero
If Twitter users are now responsible for other people's racist & threatening tweets, why haven't Deray and Sean King been banned? #FreeMilo
— Paul Joseph Watson (@PrisonPlanet) July 20, 2016
Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey hasn’t been spared their wrath either, with some questioning the wisdom of gagging such an outspoken gay commentator. Others are just annoyed at what they perceive as the company’s hypocrisy.
Suspending the top gay conservative voice of the world??
— Baked Alaska™ (@bakedalaska) July 20, 2016
Great move @jack, Very tolerant of you!!#FreeMilo
When conservatives disagree with a gay man, we're called "homophobic." When @twitter disagrees with a gay man, they just ban him. #FreeMilo
— Angela.Kay (@DeepSouthProud) July 20, 2016
Jack's a coward and a hypocrite, that censors Conservative views. #PrayForMilo#FreeMilo#JeSuisMilo#MiloYiannopoulos
— Laine#FreeMilo (@Trash_Love_) July 20, 2016
#BanMilo, on the other hand, has given voice to those who feel Yiannopoulos has gone too far and engaged in harassment.
Thank you @twitter and @jack for suspension of Milo #banmilo
— Kristen Campbell (@MishaMishaps) July 20, 2016
Abuse, slander and harassment is not free speech. Twitter is a much better place when haters like #MiloYiannopoulos are not on it! #BanMilo
— Amena (@Fashionopolis) July 20, 2016
This is a meagre sample of what it was like to be trolled by Milo and his mates nonstop for 72 hours. pic.twitter.com/0efA1JZv1o
— Jessie Thompson (@jessiecath) July 20, 2016
Some were quick to point out that there can be hypocrisy amongst conservatives too.
Conservatives: LEAVE PRIVATE COMPANIES ALONE. Twitter: #banmilo Conservatives: DEMAND INTERVENTION #FreeMilo
— dan rolle (@danrolle) July 20, 2016
Yiannopoulos vented his frustration at the ban in a statement, saying: “Twitter has confirmed itself as a safe space for Muslim terrorists and Black Lives Matter extremists, but a no-go zone for conservatives.”
He did, however, claim the move would merely result in “netting me more adoring fans” and took to both Facebook and Instagram to further his case.
