Last Updated on January 13, 2025
After Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg went on a media tour last week, apparently reversing his position on political censorship, #WalkAway founder Brandon Straka took to X to demand the reinstatement of the Facebook page for his massive movement.
He insisted that Zuckerberg must restore the original #WalkAway Campaign group and the personal and business accounts of its admins. These had been permanently banned without any explanation or chance to appeal, as stated during an event over the weekend.
Back in late November, Zuckerberg started publicly discussing his intention to cease censoring users. He claimed that this approach was initially taken to satisfy influential Democrats, including individuals from President Joe Biden’s 2020 and 2024 campaign teams. Straka then demanded that the same action be taken regarding #WalkAway.
Straka highlighted that Facebook had banned the #WalkAway Campaign group, which had over 511,000 members, along with the numerous stories shared by individuals detailing their reasons for ‘walking away.’ This ban was executed without justification, explanation, or an avenue for appeal. Additionally, the accounts of every admin in the group were permanently banned, resulting in the loss of personal businesses and cherished memories stored on the platform. He emphasized the lack of apology, recognition, or effort to rectify the situation from Zuckerberg’s end. It was conveyed that Zuckerberg wanting to be a part of their cause was insufficient; instead, he was urged to correct the situation by implementing significant changes on the platform and reinstating the wrongfully banned accounts.
Straka was politically persecuted by the federal government for his attendance at the mostly-peaceful January 6, 2021 protest at the Capitol.
He was indicted on trumped up charges of Impeding law enforcement officer during civil disorder; knowingly entering and remaining on restricted grounds without lawful authority and/or engaging in disorderly conduct within proximity to a restricted building to impede official functions; and engaging in disorderly conduct with intent to disturb a hearing before Congress, which essentially amounted to “egging on” other protestors.
He pleaded guilty to the last charge in September of 2021 and received a three month home confinement sentence, along with three years of probation.
