Request for National LP Intervention re FB suppression

[Caryn Ann Harlos]

The Mises Caucus Group with over 9100 members has been zucked.  I am a member of the group (as a guest) and there was nothing violative there deserving of this.  The content was like most of our state party groups.

I am asking the national party to use its contacts and resources to intervene.

--

   In Liberty, 

LNC Secretary | secr...@lp.org | 561.523.2250

[Caryn Ann Harlos]

Putting this here for the record, back in October 2020 an LNC member and multiple other members had their accounts terminated.  We intervened and in fact even advertised asking people to report FB silencing to us.  It would appear to many to be wildly hypocritical to ignore this.  Note, October 2020 is this term.  This LNC.  Why would we change our perceived policy now?  And for the record, while I am friendly with this group, that is irrelevant.  I remind everyone of my August 9, 2018 email to the LNC asking for action to be taken regarding the silencing of Alex Jones, a man I dislike.

No matter what L group this was, I would be making this post.  This is an issue of political silencing.  I would be avocating this if it were a group of another political party.

LNC Secretary | secr...@lp.org | 561.523.2250

[Caryn Ann Harlos]

I have learned the Redacted Caucus has the same treatment.  I’m getting more details and adding them to this request.

Absent a firm commitment to take some action I’ll be submitting an agenda request so we can debate then.

[Ken Moellman]

I would say that we should take action when it's our party or its affiliate parties.  And we have the option when it's some of our members.  

But when it's caucuses or other groups that aren't officially part of our organization, I think that we should leave it up to those groups to handle.  I don't know that we want to try to play the role of Social Media appeals board.  Further, if we engage ourselves in every fight then we may have less influence with the particular SM platform at times when we're needing to defend ourselves or our affiliates.

We can, of course, choose to broadly condemn political silencing.  But social media is trash anyway. Facebook is killing itself off, thankfully.

Ken Moellman

Libertarian National Committee

Vice Chair

[Caryn Ann Harlos]

We assisted members.  And even if we only issued a statement that would be within my request.  That is a minimum.  I think we should use our contacts.

Some people misunderstood my use of the word resources.  I was not suggesting pouring money into anything. I meant our contacts and our teach and our political persuasion.

[Steven Nekhaila]

I would wait and see how the appeal goes first. The reality is that Facebook has been culling Libertarian pages for a long time now. We need alternatives, not begging for the overlords to grant us access. I don’t see things changing for the better on that front and I’m not sure how much leverage we have if it’s not a a Libertarian Party affiliate page. Let’s wait and see on the appeal.

Sincerely,

Steven Nekhaila

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From: Caryn Ann Harlos <secr...@lp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2021 9:38:38 PM
To: lnc-bu...@lp.org <lnc-bu...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: [lnc-business] Re: Request for National LP Intervention re FB suppression

 

[Caryn Ann Harlos]

I agree we need to see how the appeal goes and from what I understand Mr. Heise has been given a potential FB contact.  They are not the only group though.  I was just contacted by the gentleman who ran the Libertarian Party of Mars who was allegedly deleted without notice.  I have asked for additional information.  The Redacted Caucus ran by one of our dedicated volunteers on the CoC was also summarily deleted.  

This is not just about the Mises Caucus.  We need to be outspoken about these things.  I strongly disagree with Mr. Moellman - acting now protects the future of the state groups - "hoarding" our voice accomplishes nothing.

   In Liberty, 

LNC Secretary | secr...@lp.org | 561.523.2250

[Steven Nekhaila]

I think we could be outspoken but trying to get the page back may not be what we want to get involved in. The reason I say that is because I do not believe Facebook is interested in discussion, they are leveraging their power to filter information and interaction, and are biased against us. The platform is compromised and alternatives will need to be adopted, preferably, a Libertarian centric option by a member of the community.

Sincerely,

Steven Nekhaila

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From: Caryn Ann Harlos <secr...@lp.org>

Sent: Thursday, August 26, 2021 11:35:03 AM
To: lnc-business <lnc-bu...@lp.org>

[Caryn Ann Harlos]

As we waiting for the appeal, I am composing a motion to be requested for agenda time and I think the in person meeting the best place to have meaningful discussion and debate.  Do you agree?

   In Liberty, 

LNC Secretary | secr...@lp.org | 561.523.2250

[Tara DeSisto]

We have a formal arrangement with Facebook that only allows for us to seek to restore State Affiliate pages, endorsed candidates and their staff. We absolutely CAN NOT restore any other group settings. It is not in our capacity and not bandwidth staff can or should be held accountable for. 

-Tara

On Aug 26, 2021, at 9:41 AM, Caryn Ann Harlos <secr...@lp.org> wrote:



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To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to lnc-business...@lp.org.

[Caryn Ann Harlos]

There are other things we can do and we can certainly make inquiries.

   In Liberty, 

LNC Secretary | secr...@lp.org | 561.523.2250

[Steven Nekhaila]

I am open to future discussion, the best time to explore options would be in person. And plenty of time for appeals to go through.

Sincerely,

Steven Nekhaila

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From: Caryn Ann Harlos <secr...@lp.org>

Sent: Thursday, August 26, 2021 11:52:11 AM

[Caryn Ann Harlos]

Absolutely agreed.

   In Liberty, 

LNC Secretary | secr...@lp.org | 561.523.2250

[David Valente]

What role would Mises being a PAC have in us intervening as a political party? I am not super up on PAC/ Party coordination rules particular with regards to 3rd party (not political) advocacy but it might be something we need to consider and maybe get Mr. Hall to weigh in on. 

v/r 

David Valente

Region 5 Alternate

[Caryn Ann Harlos]

I think everyone is misunderstanding what I am saying maybe.  Asking FB to be fair and give proper reason and not silencing people is something we can do for anyone, and it doesn't matter if they are a PAC or a waffle eating group.  We have been Amicus in cases involving other political parties for Pete's sake.

   In Liberty, 

LNC Secretary | secr...@lp.org | 561.523.2250

[John Phillips]

Not arguing one way or the other, but question.  How does the Mises status as a PAC potentially impact us if we get involved?

If someone asked that already, sorry I missed it.

John Phillips
Region 6 Representative
217-412-5973