RFK Jr. and AV24 Super PAC File Lawsuit Against Meta for Alleged Election Interference

Robert F. Kennedy and AV24 File Lawsuit Against Meta

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy and the super PAC supporting his campaign, American Values 2024 (AV24), have initiated legal proceedings against Meta Platforms, Inc. The lawsuit accuses Meta of election interference following the alleged shadow banning of the documentary “Who is Bobby Kennedy?” on Facebook and Instagram.

Allegations Against Meta

In a press release dated May 13, AV24 announced the lawsuit, filed in a California district court, accusing Meta of violating the First Amendment and infringing on the American people’s right to a presidential election decided by voters, not corporations. The lawsuit alleges that Meta deliberately censored speech supportive of Kennedy and subsequently lied about its actions. The complaint further alleges that Meta threatened to suspend or disable users' accounts if they attempted to watch, share, or post a link to the documentary. It also accuses Meta of falsely claiming that the film contained inappropriate sexual or violent content and removing user comments.

Violation of Civil Rights Act of 1871

The complaint cites the Support and Advocacy Clause of the Civil Rights Act of 1871, which prohibits private companies and their employees from intimidating citizens from engaging in lawful speech supporting a presidential candidate.

Suppression of Documentary Reach

After the release of the documentary, it began trending on X. However, Facebook and Instagram, both owned by Meta, allegedly suppressed the organic reach of the content. The film was also labeled with a COVID-19 vaccine disclaimer, redirecting users to other sources such as the Center for Disease Control’s website.

Meta's Response

In response to the allegations, a spokesperson for Meta stated that the link was accidentally blocked and was quickly restored once the issue was discovered. When asked for an updated comment on the allegations of election interference, the spokesperson repeated the previous statement.

AV24's Counter Argument

AV24, in its lawsuit, claims that Meta's explanation of accidental censorship is implausible and contradicts the numerous messages users received from Meta offering other, equally implausible explanations.

Documentary's Purpose

The documentary, released on May 3 and narrated by actor Woody Harrelson, is a biography of Kennedy, intended to provide a look into his life beyond mainstream media portrayals. The film discusses Kennedy's fight against the pharmaceutical industry after meeting with mothers who believed vaccines injured their children.

Alleged Collusion with Biden Administration

The lawsuit also alleges that Meta has a different agenda, favoring the current Administration. It cites documented collusion between Meta and the Biden administration in the pending Murthy v. Missouri case before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Impact on 2024 Election

AV24’s co-founder Tony Lyons stated that polls show a significant percentage of Americans are either unaware of Kennedy's presidential run or have been fed misinformation about him and his policies. He argues that reaching these voters could change the outcome of the 2024 election.

Media Manipulation Tactics

Jay Carson, former advisor to President Bill Clinton and now to Kennedy, who produced the film, discusses the tactics used by big corporations to attack those who challenge their power.

Final Thoughts

This lawsuit raises significant questions about the power of tech giants in influencing public opinion and potentially swaying election results. It also highlights the ongoing debate about the role and responsibility of social media platforms in moderating content. What are your thoughts on this issue? Share this article with your friends and discuss. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.