We've censored this version of our video to keep it available to everyone on youtube and for blogs to post without age restriction and the need to login. Last Saturday RU-vid haulted our viral growth by agreeing with a handful of anti-prop 19 dissenters that flagged our video as offensive. Please support the freedom of speech and help spread this censored version far and wide. Maybe we can regain the virality of the original and spread both the message of Legalization but also inform the populace of this important and scary censorship issue with RU-vid.
Press Release:
RU-vid Censors Pro Prop 19 Political Campaign
Comedian's Video Supports Pro Pot Legalization Drive
Miami Beach, FL (Oct 26th, 2010) Last week, comedian Steve Berke launched an online political campaign in support of Proposition 19 in California with the recent release of his latest music video, "Should Be Legalized", a political commentary on Eminem's music video "Love The Way You Lie."
The campaign, supported by NORML (National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws) was generating huge internet buzz, and had amassed 108,000 views within 2 days, when RU-vid flagged it for being offensive, thus requiring users to login to view the video, killing the video's chance at becoming viral.
"We were on pace to reach 1 million views within a week, and our video was rallying supporters of Prop 19 and decriminalization in every state that had it on the ballot. Then RU-vid flagged us for being offensive and killed any chance we had at reaching our potential audience. Their censorship of this video is similar to the Internet censorship that takes place in repressive countries like North Korea and China."
RU-vid failed to give any reason to Berke for flagging the video and it is presently inaccessible to the vast majority of worldwide. "The flagging system does not have a system of recourse and re-review," stated Berke.
Fort Lauderdale attorney Norm Kent, on the Board of Directors at NORML, is among those who are outraged. "We will not let RU-vid squash a vibrant political campaign the week before the historic November 2nd elections. Videos of rapper Snoop Dogg smoking marijuana are not flagged as offensive, but a song that merely names him as a marijuana user is? RU-vid is effectively freezing a viral political movement as it gains momentum in time for a critical vote. They must remove the flag. If they do not, we will pursue the matter further until they do."
NORML Executive Director Allen St. Pierre adds, "RU-vid's building a wall around Steve Berke's video makes no sense in light of dozens of other videos that depict normal cannabis use. RU-vid, whether it means to or not, is stifling legitimate political discourse regarding an important initiative vote in California next week that seeks to legalize and tax cannabis."
"I just don't understand it," said Berke. "People smoking marijuana in videos on RU-vid go unflagged, but our video, that involves actors merely pretending to smoke marijuana as political satire, is flagged immediately."
"In Eminem's video, alcohol abuse, spousal abuse, sexual assault, arson and murder are all prevalent and the video is not censored in any way. In fact, RU-vid runs ads against it, not only profiting off the video, but also making it viewable to all ages at all times," Berke added.
The link to Eminem's "Love The Way You Lie" is • Eminem - Love The Way ...
The link to Berke's "Should Be Legalized" is • "Should Be Legalized" ...
2 окт 2024
