Facebook restores Arkansas lawmaker's posts, apologizes for removing them

Sen. Jason Rapert, R-Bigelow, is shown in this file photo.
Sen. Jason Rapert, R-Bigelow, is shown in this file photo.

In an emailed statement sent late Monday, a Facebook spokesman apologized for the company's removal of two posts by an Arkansas state senator, saying the remarks — which called for removing "every single Muslim extremist sympathizer" from the county — did not violate the company's community standards.

“The posts were removed in error and restored once we were able to investigate," the statement said. "Our team processes millions of reports each week, and we sometimes get things wrong. We’re very sorry about this mistake.”

In a text to reporters sent Monday night, state Sen. Jason Rapert said the posts had been restored without any response from the company. He tweeted a screenshot of the Facebook statement on Tuesday.

The lawmaker remains skeptical that the removal of his posts was a mistake, mainly because both of his remarks were taken down.

"One, I could see as an accident," Rapert said. "Two, that doesn’t seem so accidental.”

Rapert also said that he sent a list of questions to the company asking for specific details as to why his comments were flagged and then deleted. Someone from Facebook has responded, he said, but they have not had a conversation as of yet.

Rapert on Monday accused Facebook of suppressing conservative speech after the posts were removed.

Read Wednesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

Upcoming Events