Hoax: Facebook is Not Removing Photos of Amputees

An image circulating online states that Facebook is removing photos of amputees because they violate community standards. Today we’ll take a closer look at this photo and claim associated with it.

It’s not true.

Let’s first take a look at the claim being circulated:

Facebook is removing Veteran Amputees photos’ and calling them offensive and against the Community Standards of Facebook. Please like and share.

The claim above includes a photo of a saluting Marine seated in a wheelchair. Consider the following:

• There is no evidence that Facebook is removing such photos, nor has Facebook issued any such statement.
• Ironically, the image is being heavily circulated – without being removed.
• The “like and share” part of the caption is a telling piece of information – indicating that this false claim is simply being used to gain likes for a Facebook page.

The Image

The Marine in the photo is Casey Owens, and the image was snapped on January 20, 2005 at President George Bush’s second inauguration. The Washington Post wrote of the photo:

Casey Owens, a wounded Marine, salutes as his mother Janna Owens cries during the inaugural speech by President Bush. 

Bottom Line

This image is being circulated with a false caption for the sole purpose of gaining likes for Facebook pages.

Source

• Inauguration 2005 (Washington Post: January 20, 2005)