LAPD YouTube channel SUSPENDED for posting 'violent content'

YouTube has disabled the Los Angeles Police Department's account after the agency posted a video that allegedly showed a brutal attack. YouTube soon deleted the video, and then later pulled the LAPD's channel entirely.   

The LAPD said the account was "temporarily suspended after [posting] a video of a brutal attack" that transpired just before 11:45 a.m. on Saturday morning, reports KTLA 5. 

"We have appealed the suspension and have been denied," the LAPD posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

This "brutal attack" that apparently motivated YouTube to censor the LAPD account was from an attack in Vence on Sept. 28. Two men with bicycles were seen repeatedly punching and kicking a male victim. Then they walked away from him, only to return and beat him unconscious with bolt cutters.

The department says it has been requesting the public's assistance to help identify the suspects from the attack. 

"An argument ensued between the victim and both suspects," police said in a news release on the attack posted Thursday, according to FOX 11 Los Angeles. "The argument led to a violent confrontation. The first suspect swung a pair of bolt cutters at the victim and the victim deflected the blow. The suspect repeatedly punched the victim who was knocked to the ground. As the victim lay on the ground, the suspect kicked the victim in the head."

Police said a second confrontation ensued once the victim stood up. "The suspect again armed himself with the bolt cutters and chased after the victim. The suspect swung the bolt cutters and struck the victim on the back of his head. The victim lost consciousness. Both suspects fled north on Speedway on their bicycles."

Social media users were quick to react to the news of the LAPD's YouTube suspension, with some standing opposed to the censorship, and others in favor, according to KTLA 5. 

This news comes after the US Supreme Court put a temporary stay on a ruling from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals that would forbid the Biden administration from corresponding with social media companies over moderation concerns, especially as it pertains to identifying and subsequently wiping any type of content that the government would consider to be "misinformation" or "disinformation."

YouTube making moves to limit certain channels on its platform is not unprecedented. In September, popular streamer Russell Brand found his channel on the platform completely demonetized following anonymous allegations of sexual misconduct. 

Sometimes the platform goes even further; YouTube issued a permanent ban against an American congressional candidate in Washington State just last year.