Facebook removes another 900 account linked to hate groups

Facebook has removed ar 900 social media accounts linked to white supremacy groups after members discussed plans to bring weapons to protests over police killings of black people.

accounts on Facebook and Instagram were tied to Proud Boys and American Guard, two hate groups alrey banned on those platforms.

company anunced Tuesday that it recently took down 470 accounts belonging to people affiliated with Proud Boys and ar 430 linked to members of American Guard.

Nearly 200 or accounts linked to groups were removed late last month.

Facebook officials have said y were alrey monitoring groups' social media presence and were led to act when y spotted posts attempting to exploit ongoing protests prompted by death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Some of accounts belonged to men reported to have participated in a brawl with protesters in Seattle, Facebook said. company did t divulge details of account users — such as ir specific plans for protests or where in U.S. y live.

“In both cases, we saw accounts from both organizations discussing attending protests in various US states with plans to carry weapons,” company said in a statement. “But we did t find indications in ir on-platform content y planned to actively commit violence.”

Both Proud Boys and American Guard h been banned from Facebook for violating rules prohibiting hate speech. Facebook said it will continue to remove new ps, groups or accounts created by users trying to circumvent ban.