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A day after ‘Ghostbusters’ star Leslie Jones announced she abandoned her Twitter account in tears, conservative editor Milo Yiannopoulos has been permanently barred from the social media website. He was removed for his alleged role in launching a barrage of racist tweets at the comedian when he wrote a scathing review of her theatrical debut. The announcement was made Tuesday night by the company.
Jones posted a series of tweets Monday night sharing her feelings on the foul messages sent her way. She also screenshot key images, including ones that called her an ape and a “big lipped coon.”
Ok I have been called Apes, sent pics of their asses,even got a pic with semen on my face. I'm tryin to figure out what human means. I'm out
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) July 18, 2016
Yiannopoulos responded to the tweet in which he criticized the actress for not having thicker skin.
If at first you don’t succeed (because your work is terrible), play the victim.
EVERYONE GETS HATE MAIL FFS https://t.co/W572qB4Vqw
— Milo Yiannopoulos ひ✘ (@Nero) July 18, 2016
Jones caught wind of his remarks and expressed her disappointment in his profession.
@Nero I'm hearing this guy is a columnist how sad. Is this how he gets his readers thru supporting hate? I'm acting like a victim? Nice job
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) July 19, 2016
The writer then called Jones illiterate when she reported his account
@Nero you have been reported I hope the lock your Acct
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) July 18, 2016
Barely literate. America needs better schools!https://t.co/cCAEI5Ks7w pic.twitter.com/BIYVbBq0Ln
— Milo Yiannopoulos ひ✘ (@Nero) July 18, 2016
Yiannopoulos told Heat Street he did not regret the back-and-forth.
“No, of course, I don’t have any regrets,” he said. “But feminists, on the other hand should have regrets that they have taught strong women that they are victims and attacked people for having different opinions to them on Twitter.”
He added Jones should be able to withstand the criticism as a Hollywood figure.
“She is a star of a blockbuster movie!” he said. “If she’s getting upset about what people are saying on the Internet, she shouldn’t be in the business.”
A fake Jones account also responded to the reporter. The actress emphasized she did not post it.
THIS WAS NOT ME!! OK TWITTER IM DONE!! IF YALL CAN LET THIS SHIT HAPPEN I DONT WANT TO BE HERE. I DID NOT POST THIS pic.twitter.com/CDGbuOHJN4
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) July 19, 2016
Jones called on Twitter to create stricter guidelines on free speech. It was supported by fans who launched the #LoveForLeslieJ hashtag.
Twitter I understand you got free speech I get it. But there has to be some guidelines when you let spread like that. You can see on the
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) July 19, 2016
The star’s call seemed to have been answered when Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey asked her to direct message him. It followed the company’s earlier message which said, “This type of abusive behavior is not permitted on Twitter, and we’ve taken action on many of the accounts reported to us by both Leslie and others.”
Now, Yiannopoulos has been permanently suspended from the website for violating its hateful conduct policy. Users in support of him have begun tweeting #freenero and #freemilo
The whole #FreeMilo thing isn't about offensive tweets. It's about @Jack selectively banning people he doesn't like. #FreeNero
— Neil M White (@neilmwhite) July 20, 2016
A spokesperson released a statement last night that informed users they are “continuing to invest heavily in improving our tools and enforcement systems to better allow us to identify and take faster action on abuse as it’s happening and prevent repeat offenders.” No details have been released but Twitter says they are forthcoming.
“Over the past 48 hours in particular, we’ve seen an uptick in the number of accounts violating these policies and have taken enforcement actions against these accounts,” the statement read in part. “Ranging from warnings that also require the deletion of Tweets violating our policies to permanent suspension.”
A look at users who targeted Jones reveals the accounts that were not suspended had the offending tweets removed.
