We were banished off instagram

First and foremost, we want to send our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of

those who were injured or lost their lives during this horrific event, March 1st, 2026.

Disclaimer:
The statements shared below are based on our personal experience and publicly available information available at the time of writing. We have received an email from Instagram regarding the removal of our account; however, any connections made are speculative. This statement is not intended to assign blame or present unverified claims as fact.

Britt and I at the Canopy passing out flyers, this was shortly after we were banished from instagram

Our Instagram account was removed early Sunday morning at 3:32 a.m., shortly after the incident on West 6th Street, described as a terrorist attack in downtown Austin. While a reason was given for the removal, it does not appear to constitute copyright infringement based on our understanding. Much of what follows is therefore based on timing and circumstance rather than confirmed claims.

We share this experience to help guide others planning events. We were informed the issue involved potential copyright infringement related to an organization we had previously discussed partnering with (referred to here as “North by North East”). Ultimately, we decided not to move forward with them.

We did have a flyer that referenced NXNE for clarity; however, our profile clearly stated this was not an official North by North East event and that it was an unofficial “North by North East pre kickoff” event. Typically, Instagram identifies the reporting party when an account is flagged for copyright infringement. Given the timing, we cannot help but question whether the removal was related to the downtown shooting earlier that morning at approximately 1:58 a.m., just over an hour after our account was removed.

It is possible our page was flagged as a potential threat, though this is purely speculative. Our event features an Iranian-American filmmaker alongside other multidisciplinary artists on East 6th Street. We are unsure whether we were inadvertently caught in the crossfire of heightened scrutiny following the incident. There was nothing politically inflammatory on our platform, only films exploring perspective and lived experience, and it’s possible certain keywords triggered the censorship.

Our concern goes far beyond censorship; it touches on fundamental human freedoms and rights. In no way are we diminishing the experiences of the victims or the impact on their families. We speak from a place of compassion, care, and love, and this whole thing has unfolded in ways we never planned, we honestly couldn’t make it up if we tried.

You are never alone. In a time when so many of us feel disconnected, moments of tragedy or upheaval can make that isolation feel even heavier. There are ways to connect and get help.

💔 Support & Crisis Resources

If you or someone you know is struggling after this tragedy, help is available 24/7:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988
Free, confidential emotional support for people in distress or crisis.

• SAMHSA National Helpline
1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Treatment referral and mental health support for individuals and families.

• Disaster Distress Helpline
Call or text 1-800-985-5990
Immediate crisis counseling for anyone experiencing emotional distress related to a traumatic event.

• VictimConnect
1-855-4-Victim (1-855-484-2846)
Confidential referrals for victims of crime, including survivors of violence.

• NAMI
1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
Support, education, and local mental health resources.

• American Red Cross
Provides disaster mental health services during community crises.

🖤 If You’re in Immediate Danger

Call 911 or your local emergency number.