Conservative Cartoonist Ben Garrison Banned From Instagram

Conservative cartoonist Ben Garrison reports he was banned from Instagram.

Garrison reports his popular Instagram account GrrrGraphics was banned, “GrrrGraphics just banned  From Instagram! New instagram account is @grrrgraphicscartoons! Will update everyone on email list with details later today!”

In the photo provided by Garrison, Instagram explains his account was disabled for violating Instagram’s terms.

Garrison also  points out that his account might have been disabled after a post from April 3rd had been deleted for violating Instagram’s “Community Guidelines on hate speech or symbols.”

The cartoon in question from the April 3rd post can be seen below and is titled “Two-Faced Dem.”

Garrison would indicate on Twitter the account suspension was purely for political reasons stating, “Just had @GrrrGraphics account banned on Instagram #censorship ‘account disabled for violating our Terms’ or translated ‘You’re a threat to the Democrat narrative’ #StopBias.”

He would also add, “Anyone who disagrees with the Democrat Narrative censorship ramp up for 2020 elections.”

Garrison appears undeterred by the ban. He is currently running an IndieGoGo campaign for Ben Garrison’s Big Book of Editorial Cartoons. The large hardcover full-colored book will feature a number of Garrison’s most hard hitting political cartoons. He’s raised almost $50,000 already and surpassed his $20,000 goal.

Garrison is the latest in what seems to be an ever-growing list of public conservative commentators who are being banned from social media and even financial platforms.

NPR reported last month that President Trump’s social media director Dan Scavino had been temporarily banned from Facebook.

Chase Bank shut down Lady Alchemy creator Martina Markota’s bank account. Markota told us she believes her account was shut down for political reasons, “When I saw other right winters/conservatives getting their Chase accounts close I was then convinced that it was political.”

Chase Bank also shut down Enrique Tarrio’s personal bank account. Tarrio is the chairmen of the Proud Boys fraternal organization and was not given a reason as to why his account was shut down.

Trump supporter and Iraq War veteran Joe Biggs also had his Chase Bank account closed. However, he noted that Chase did offer to give him a new account after a number of other veterans threatened to shut down their accounts.

Other conservative media figures have faced similar deplatforming. The most well-known is InfoWars host Alex Jones. He was removed from multiple platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Stitcher, Apple, and others.

Activist Laura Loomer has also seen her Twitter account suspended and she’s also been banned by PayPal. Loomer is also banned from ride-sharing services Lyft and Uber.

Publisher Vox Day even saw his Arkhaven Comics IndieGoGo campaign for Alt-Hero: Q shut down by the crowdfunding platform.

Most recently former Toronto mayoral candidate and right-wing pundit Faith Goldy was banned from Facebook. Facebook indicates she violated their community standards on “organized hate.”

Facebook released a statement about Goldy’s ban:

“The individuals and organizations we have banned today violate this policy, and they will no longer be allowed a presence on our services.”

They added:

“Our work against organized hate is ongoing and we will continue to review individuals, pages, groups and content against our community standards.”

Goldy responded to the ban on Twitter saying, “Our enemies are weak and terrified.”

What do you make of Instagram banning popular political cartoonist Ben Garrison? Do you think these social media sites are specifically targeting conservatives?