Two people are dead after being shot at a protest on Tuesday in Kenosha, Wisconsin. A local self-described militia group had posted an event on Facebook urging its armed supporters to show up that same night. It may not be a coincidence.
The event was posted by the Facebook Page for the Kenosha Guard militia group. The group encouraged “armed citizens” to appear as a counter protest to those demonstrating over the police shooting of Jacob Blake.
“Law enforcement is outnumbered and our Mayor has failed,” read the Facebook event information along with details on where and when to meet up. “Take up arms and let’s defend our CITY!”
The Facebook event page has since been removed by the social network.
Protests have erupted in Kenosha since Blake, an unarmed Black man, was shot seven times in the back on Sunday. Blake remains hospitalized, in stable condition.
One week ago, Facebook announced that it would crack down on pages and groups that encouraged “potential violence” as part of the company’s updated Dangerous Individuals and Organizations policy. Facebook specifically mentioned militia groups in its update.
Kyle Rittenhouse, a 17-year-old from Illinois, was charged on Wednesday with first-degree murder. Following the shootings, numerous videos were shared on social media showing an armed Rittenhouse alongside other gun-toting counter-protesters claiming to be with local militia groups. Video footage also exists of Rittenhouse shooting at protesters.
It’s unknown at this time if Rittenhouse or the group he attended the protests with saw the Kenosha Guard’s Facebook event.
Facebook could not provide a statement at the time of this report as the company is still actively investigating the incident and working with law enforcement.
Facebook has removed the page for the Kenosha Guard for violating that newly updated policy that now covers militia groups. The company is also designating the shooting as a violating event and will remove accounts and content depicting what transpired.
The Facebook of Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse, now charged with first degree murder for shooting two protesters, is wall-to-wall Blue Lives Matter/Thin Blue Line memes. pic.twitter.com/Uv0dIvYCOp
— Arrivederci (@PapaGlider) August 26, 2020
A Facebook account belonging to Rittenhouse shows an obsession with law enforcement and support for Blue Lives Matter. Rittenhouse’s Facebook page has also been taken down, although it’s unclear who removed it.
InfoWars, the conspiratorial online outlet run by Alex Jones, also promoted the Facebook call to arms. The social media giant banned both Alex Jones and InfoWars from Facebook back in May 2019.
The shooting has been a topic of discussion within Boogaloo groups on Facebook. Boogaloo, also known as the Boogaloo Boys (or Bois), is a loosely-organized far-right militia movement that seeks to spark a second Civil War in the United States.
Regardless of the alleged killer’s particular affiliation, he is being revered as a hero by the boogaloo bois – and memes identifying him as a king of their ideals are already circulating. pic.twitter.com/5xWsLV65xe
— Tech Transparency Project (@TTP_updates) August 26, 2020
There has even been infighting within these groups as to whether Rittenhouse could be deemed Boogaloo as some say his pro-law enforcement stance runs counter to the movement. The Boogaloo movement does appear to be heralding his actions though. It’s unclear if Rittenhouse had any connection to Boogaloo groups.
However, one thing is clear: Those Boogaloo groups shouldn’t even exist on Facebook to begin with.
Facebook announced it was designating the Boogaloo movement as a “dangerous organization,” effectively banning them from the platform in June.