San Diego Street Vendor Attack: TikTok Censorship Fuels Outrage

San Diego Street Vendor Assaulted; TikTok Censorship Highlights Growing Concerns A Latino street vendor in San Diego, California, was recently assaulted, sparking outrage and highlighting concerns about censorship on social media platforms. The incident, which occurred on May 20th, 2025, involved a physical attack on the vendor, details of which are currently unavailable due to the sensitive nature of the ongoing investigation. However, the subsequent actions of TikTok in censoring videos covering this event have raised serious questions about freedom of speech and the platform's responsibility in reporting significant local events. Carlos Eduardo Espina, a content creator who documented the assault and subsequent censorship, stated, "TikTok has censored me unjustly. This is not the first time; it's the seventh video in the last week alone." Espina's videos, which aimed to raise awareness about the incident, were flagged and restricted, limiting their reach to a younger audience. He further explains that he is now close to losing his TikTok account due to these repeated actions. This incident underscores the complexities faced by content creators in navigating social media platforms and the challenges of reporting on sensitive local events. Espina's call for support on YouTube is a testament to the need for alternative platforms to ensure that important stories are not silenced. The ongoing investigation into the assault and the broader discussion about social media censorship are crucial to protecting freedom of speech and ensuring transparency in the digital age.