GoFundMe Seizes $10 Million of Trucker Protest Fundraising, Will Give to Charities Instead

Contact Your Elected Officials
The Epoch Times Header

GoFundMe says it wonโ€™t be giving the C$10 million ($8 million USD) raised to support the truckers protesting COVID-19 mandates to the organizers anymore, saying it will instead work with the organizers to send the funds to โ€œestablished charities verified by GoFundMe.โ€

โ€œTo ensure GoFundMe remains a trusted platform, we work with local authorities to ensure we have a detailed, factual understanding of events taking place on the ground,โ€ the fundraising platform said in a statement on Feb. 4.

โ€œFollowing a review of relevant facts and multiple discussions with local law enforcement and city officials, this fundraiser is now in violation of our Terms of Service (Term 8, which prohibits the promotion of violence and harassment) and has been removed from the platform.โ€

GoFundMe added that it has โ€œevidence from law enforcement that the previously peaceful demonstration has become an occupation, with police reports of violence and other unlawful activity.โ€

John Carpay, president of the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF) which is providing legal representation for the organizers, told The Epoch Times that the linking of protesters to violent or unlawful activity is unfounded.

โ€œI would like to see what evidence there is,โ€ Carpay said. โ€œThatโ€™s political spin.โ€

Carpay said the organizers have maintained that the protests are peaceful.

โ€œItโ€™s a constitutional freedom to protest peacefully,โ€ Carpay said.

He also said that itโ€™s his understanding from people on the ground that people can move freely in Ottawa, and for example in a recent case an emergency vehicle was able to โ€œrapidly race through the streets because the trucks were neatly parked off to the side.โ€

โ€œTheyโ€™re not obstructing the daily lives of people in Ottawa, and theyโ€™re committed to peace and non-violence,โ€ he said.

The Epoch Times reached out to GoFundMe for comment but didnโ€™t immediately hear back.

GoFundMe had earlier put a freeze in withdrawal of the funds as it undertook a review โ€œto ensure it complies with our terms of service and applicable laws and regulations.โ€

Keith Wilson, a lawyer from JCCF representing the organizers, hadย said earlier at a Feb. 3ย press conference that GoFundMe has been โ€œbombarded with an orchestrated social media and other campaigns to try and shut [the fundraiser] down.โ€

Byย Omid Ghoreishi

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Earned vs. Owed

Not since the Donner Party has a group of people so badly misinterpreted the circumstances of their situation like the players of the WNBA.

Just How American are Americaโ€™s Elite Schools?

Their exteriors may be ivy clad, but that faรงade on Americaโ€™s elite universities cloaks secrecy, power politics and globalist attitudes as well.

Multiple Democrats Playing Defense

There is a news situation going on that is...

TOTAL ROT: Consultant Brain and Horserace Politics Have Wrecked Political Discourse

Is feeding at the trough of government graft the goal of politics, or is it the optimal administration of the state? The answer depends on whom you ask.

Media Ignore Trump Successes To Focus On Epstein

Despite President Trump's amazing successes, the media refuse to give credit to the Trump and are continuing to focus on the โ€œEpstein files.โ€

Declassified Durham Report Annex Sheds New Light on Origins of Russia Probe: Grassley

Sen. Grassley released declassified annex to John Durhamโ€™s 2023 report into FBIโ€™s investigation into allegations of Trump campaignโ€“Russia ties.

Appeals Court Hears Arguments Over Whether to Block Trumpโ€™s Tariffs

Multiple judges on an appeals court questioned whether a decades-old law Trump invoked had provided him the authority on tariffs he said it did.

State Department Sanctions Palestinian Authority Officials, PLO Members

US State Dept imposed sanctions on Palestinian Authority officials and members of the PLO as U.S. officials arrived in Israel for more cease-fire talks.

Weekly Jobless Claims Remain Near 3-Month Low

According to the Dept of Labor, initial jobless claims rose by 1,000, to 218,000 for the week ended July 26, remaining close to a three-month low.

Bessent Says Trump Accounts for Kids Are Backdoor โ€˜For Privatizing Social Securityโ€™

Treasury Sec Scott Bessent said Trump Accounts are โ€œa back door for privatizing Social Security,โ€ but the admin is committed to protecting Social Security.

Trump Says Canadaโ€™s Backing of Palestinian Statehood Threatens US Trade Deal

President Trump said it would be โ€œvery hardโ€ to reach a trade agreement with Canada after PM Carney announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state.

Trump Imposes 25 Percent Tariff on India Plus Unspecified Penalty

Trump said US to impose a 25% tariff on Indian goods and unspecified penalties, citing India's high trade barriers and reliance on Russian energy and arms.

White House Launches Health Information Sharing Initiative

Making Health Technology Great Again centers on giving patients full access to their own health records and making the data useful for both doctors and patients in managing disease.
spot_img

Related Articles