No, Facebook Is NOT Removing Veteran Amputee Images

This story was first published on September 6, 2013

There is no evidence to support the claims in the message. The amputee image included in the message has been shared thousands of times and has not been removed. Moreover, many other images of amputees have been posted to Facebook and remain there. The message is almost certainly nothing more than a callous attempt to collect likes and shares for a particular, political orientated, Facebook profile.

According to this would-be protest message, Facebook is removing images depicting veteran amputees because such images are offensive and are against the company’s Community Standards. The message features a photograph of a wounded Marine in a wheelchair and asks that users like and share.

However, the claim that Facebook is removing veteran amputee images is unfounded. There is no evidence whatsoever to support this claim. And, ironically, the image that the message puts forward as evidence of Facebook’s dastardly deeds has now been shared thousands of times and is certainly not being removed.

Moreover, many other images depicting amputees – both veteran and civilian – are regularly posted on Facebook. Many of the images have been on Facebook for months or years with nary a sign of removal.

Thus, the claims in the message are nonsense.

It seems that the supposed protest message is nothing more than a callous and calculated attempt to promote a particular Facebook profile via likes and shares. Every time users like, share or comment on the message and image, they are effectively promoting the originating Facebook profile and its obvious political agenda.

The man in the photograph is Casey Owens, a Marine who was wounded in Iraq. The photograph was taken in 2005 during President Bush’s second inauguration and was published via the Washington Post. Casey Owens died in October, 2014. Misusing Casey’s photograph in this false message is reprehensible.

Do not cater to the desires of these loathsome and unscrupulous users by liking, sharing or commenting on their material.