Crowdfunding platform GoFundMe is under investigation after reversing $8 million in donations for Canadian truckers protesting COVID restrictions.
Members of Canada’s “Freedom Convoy” oppose vaccine requirements for cross-border truckers and other public health measures that are impacting the industry. Members of the convoy used their trucks to block a highway at the US/Canada border crossing in Coutts, Alberta last week before staging a protest in Ottawa.
“Our current government is implementing rules and mandates that are destroying the foundation of our businesses, industries, and livelihoods,” reads the group’s GoFundMe advertisement.
GoFundMe froze Freedom Convoy’s campaign last week after claiming it had evidence from law enforcement that the demonstration in Ottawa had grown violent and unlawful. There are few if any reports to support this claim.
GoFundMe initially asked donors to submit refund forms but later said it would issue the refunds automatically. Leftover funds would be sent to charities approved by GoFundMe.
Editor’s Note: Let’s make this clear, GoFundMe was going to steal funds people sent for this conservative cause and SEND IT TO THEIR OWN CHARITIES.
“Rather than automatically refunding it to the donors, they say they’re going to give it to groups of their own choosing,” argues Ezra Levant, publisher of Canada’s Rebel News. “What a windfall for Black Lives Matter, Greenpeace, and Planned Parenthood!”
Indeed, GoFundMe has promoted campaigns for Black Lives Matter, antifa supporters, criminal protestors, and even the Capitol Hill Organized Protest in Seattle. The Seattle protest, launched in 2020 following the death of George Floyd, transformed into the unlawful takeover of police and public property and the establishment of the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ).
“It is a fraud for @gofundme to commandeer $9M in donations sent to support truckers,” tweeted Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R), who promised to investigate the site’s “deceptive practices.”
“Patriotic Texans donated to Canadian truckers’ worthy cause using GoFundMe,” added Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who also vowed to investigate the site. “This BLM-backing company went woke, froze the funds, & failed to deliver Texans’ money.”
Freedom Convoy organizers received roughly $800,000 of the $7.9 million raised before the campaign was shut down.
Sources:
Florida investigates GoFundMe over Canada trucker donations
Conservatives Vent Fury as GoFundMe Cancels Canadian Truckers’ Fundraiser