YouTube brings back GOP candidate's “deportation bus” video after pulling it for hate speech

YouTube claims it made a mistake in removing a Republican politician’s advertisement for his “deportation bus.”

Early Wednesday morning, YouTube removed a video posted by Georgia state Sen. Michael Williams for violating the site’s hate speech rules. In the minute-long video, the gubernatorial candidate unveils his “deportation bus” that he plans to drive through sanctuary cities to transport “illegals” out of the U.S.

“DANGER! MURDERERS, RAPISTS, KIDNAPPERS, CHILD MOLESTORS, AND OTHER CRIMINALS ON BOARD,” reads a warning on the rear door of the bus. “FOLLOW ME TO MEXICO.”

But a few hours later, the video was back on YouTube.

“With the massive volume of videos on our platform, sometimes we make the wrong call on content that is flagged by our community,” a YouTube spokesperson told VICE News. “When this is brought to our attention, we review the content and take appropriate action, including restoring videos or channels that were mistakenly removed.”

After the video was removed, Williams expressed outrage and accused YouTube of being a “liberal California company.”

"Perhaps YouTube’s executives would like to move their families into an area that has been destroyed by illegals,” Williams said in a statement. “It might give them perspective."

YouTube has, in the past, claimed that its content regulation is prone to mistakes. In August 2017, for example, YouTube accidentally removed videos documenting atrocities in Syria as part of its efforts to rid the site of extremist propaganda.

Williams is among several Republicans in the race to replace Republican Gov. Nathan Deal in the May 22 election. According to a recent poll, Williams comes in at last place. About 3 percent of respondents say they support his bid for governor.