As Facebook cracks down on white nationalist content, a left-wing artist was caught in the crosshairs after the network said her MAGA hat-inspired artwork violated community guidelines.

Kate Kretz, a Maryland-based artist, refashions Donald Trump’s infamous “Make America Great Again” hats into traditional symbols of white supremacy and hatred, such as the Ku Klux Klan hood and a swastika armband.

Ms Kretz does not create this art because she believes in white supremacy, but rather “to both call out wearers who claim the hats to be innocuous, and to sound the alarm that history is repeating itself,” she wrote in a blog post.

After Ms Kretz’s MAGA swastika armband was taken down by Facebook, she appealed the removal decision and reposted the image with the caption: “This is not hate speech. This is an art piece addressing hate speech.”

Facebook didn’t respond to Ms Kretz’s appeal in a timely manner, but did respond to the republication of her art by freezing her Facebook account, leaving her unable to post or interact with her followers.

Inside a Make America Great Again rally in Chattanooga, Tennessee Show all 16 1 /16 Inside a Make America Great Again rally in Chattanooga, Tennessee Inside a Make America Great Again rally in Chattanooga, Tennessee Anti-Trump protesters gather outside of the rally Getty Inside a Make America Great Again rally in Chattanooga, Tennessee A supporter of the president waiting for the rally Getty Inside a Make America Great Again rally in Chattanooga, Tennessee Anti-Trump protesters wield picket signs Getty Inside a Make America Great Again rally in Chattanooga, Tennessee A Trump supporter outside of the Mckenzie Arena in Chattanooga prior to the President's appearance Getty Inside a Make America Great Again rally in Chattanooga, Tennessee Anti-Trump protesters gather outside of the rally with signs Getty Inside a Make America Great Again rally in Chattanooga, Tennessee A t-shirt for sale at the rally Lucy Gray Inside a Make America Great Again rally in Chattanooga, Tennessee A crowd gathers in waiting for the rally Lucy Gray Inside a Make America Great Again rally in Chattanooga, Tennessee A Trump memorabilia stand outside of the rally EPA Inside a Make America Great Again rally in Chattanooga, Tennessee Trump supporters cheer as the President arrives to the rally AP Inside a Make America Great Again rally in Chattanooga, Tennessee President Trump stands with Lee Greenwood as he sings 'God Bless the USA' to commence the rally Reuters Inside a Make America Great Again rally in Chattanooga, Tennessee A supporter listens as President Trump speaks EPA Inside a Make America Great Again rally in Chattanooga, Tennessee President Trump addresses supporters AP Inside a Make America Great Again rally in Chattanooga, Tennessee President Trump thanks Senate candidate Marsha Blackburn after her speech EPA Inside a Make America Great Again rally in Chattanooga, Tennessee Supporters of the president wield signs during the rally Getty Inside a Make America Great Again rally in Chattanooga, Tennessee Trump supporters cheer during the rally AFP/Getty Inside a Make America Great Again rally in Chattanooga, Tennessee President Trump exits the stage AP

As an artist, Ms Kretz uses social media as a platform to maintain her livelihood, and to be booted from the platform can be detrimental.

Ms Kretz’s ban comes after Facebook’s recently adopted policies on white nationalism as the company was criticised for being historically lax on white supremacist content.

“I understand doing things for the greater good,” Ms Kretz told local news station WUSA-TV.

“However, I think artists are a big part of Facebook’s content providers, and they owe us a fair hearing.”

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events