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The page has officially been restored. It is a relief to see that the artistic message regarding the protection of children can continue to circulate without unnecessary restrictions. I appreciate the time taken to help ensure this work remain visible.

November 11, 2013

Bring Back Erik Ravelo ART Facebook Fan Page! Stop Facebook Censorship!

Bring Back Erik Ravelo ART Facebook Fan Page! Stop Facebook Censorship!

🏆 Won — 159 supporters Verified

Final supporters

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Victoria K.
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Taylor S.
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misha f.
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+149 more
Started by Anonymous 12 years, 11 months ago
On September 19, 2013, the Facebook Fan Page of the artist Erik Ravelo, currently working as the creative director of Fabrica in Italy, was censored by Facebook, deleted, and taken off the popular social media website. Translated to English from Italian, Facebook communicated to Ravelo, “Your page has been removed because it infringes our conditions of use. Your page was labelled for harmful content." The Cuban artist, author of the former campaign of solidarity of the "Unhate Foundation," was previously censored by the social network for his new series of images titled, “The Untouchables." Published on the site on July 22, 2013, the series of images obtained 20553 "Likes" in a few days. The seven portraits, which depict the infringements of the rights of children, were considered extreme by Facebook the series was locked from distribution on the website. On August 30, 2013, Facebook removed the image of a priest and child, created by Ravelo to denounce the abuse of minors behind the religious walls. Facebook then forbid Ravelo from uploading any more images for seven days, before taking down his Fan Page in its entirety on September 19, 2013. While Ravelo has appealed the decision, if his appeal is not granted, his page will be deleted permanently. “This campaign promotes the rights of children, there is no reference to harm, I find no reason for censorship of this nature,” says Ravelo. Please add your name to the petition below and voice your support for Ravelo's Fan Page to be reinstated on Facebook and for his art to be seen by the millions who visit the networking site daily. Say no to censorship!

Updates

September 22, 2013

Reaching this current level of support demonstrates that many people recognize the importance of protecting artistic expression. It is heartening to see how clearly this message resonates with those who value open dialogue.

September 22, 2013

The removal of Erik Ravelo's artwork brings up difficult questions about who holds the power to define what is offensive in our public spaces. Many of you have shared your own experiences with digital censorship which confirms that this reflects a much larger pattern of overreach by social media platforms. I am currently working to document these concerns so we can present a clearer picture of the impact his absence has on the artistic community.

Reached 100 supporters

September 22, 2013

8 Comments

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Victoria Kilburg
9 years ago Featured

This is amazing work, and taking it down is censorship. It is supposed to piss people off because this is happening around the world and this is every day life for some of these children.

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Anonymous
12 years ago Featured

Don't understand why Facebook censored his page...What is more sacred than the innocence of a child? Doubt there was ill intention. It's a truth said out loud about child abuse through he world, usually committed by very proper people who Facebook would not even suspect and probably not even think about censoring.

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Lisa
12 years ago Featured

This art work is about exploitation it IS NOT exploitation itself. These images are powerfull, precise and accurate descriptions of what the adult world does to children and I am amazed that they could be viewed as anything but the truth that they represent.

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Sarah Mansour
12 years ago Featured

Ridiculous. Facebook keeps censoring real art but leaves actual horrible stuff up all the time. Makes no sense.

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Elena Reynolds
12 years ago Featured

Wow. Facebook is really just a joke now. Censoring this is just protecting the people who actually hurt kids by keeping us from talking about it.

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Mark Cox
12 years ago Featured

Art isnt supposed to be comfy. Its supposed to make you look at the ugly stuff we try to ignore. Let the guy post his work.

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Vincent Peilleron
11 years ago

FB, a network for social conversation : LOL !

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Vincent Peilleron
11 years ago

FB, a network for social conversation : LOL !