The Virginia Citizens Defense League, a leading gun rights group in the state, has had its Facebook page removed without explanation, The Washington Free Beacon reported on Wednesday.
Facebook spokeswoman Kristen Morea confirmed the move but refused to give a reason other than to state that the decision "was correctly actioned and we will not be republishing."
Virginia Citizens Defense League President Philip Van Cleave said the group used its Facebook page to communicate with its members, as well as organize electoral and legislative efforts, and that the ban deprives it of being able to do so in the future.
Facebook has faced criticism for what many say is an ad hoc approach to content moderation, with critics alleging that its decisions are politically motivated and arbitrarily silence conservative voices.
Van Cleave said he is concerned about other organizations defending the Second Amendment, saying "I think we're a high-profile group and that's why we got singled out. Those who aren't as high profile ... I'm sure they're on the chopping block next."
Just last month, Facebook took down the group's page before restoring it, apologizing for the error.
At the same time, Facebook had also suspended Van Cleave's personal account, briefly lifted the suspensions, and then restored them.
Morea said Facebook would not give more details on Van Cleave's initial suspension due to a "very real and credible threat that people can game the system" if they understand how it works and directed the Free Beacon to a company press release on its moderation policies referencing the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
But Van Cleave said neither he nor the group has supported violence or protested the results of the 2020 election.
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