GoFundMe Is Refusing To Release The $10 Million Raised By The Trucker Convoy
The mainstream media may not be reporting very much on it, but the Freedom Convoy has captured the attention of millions of people across Canada as well as the U.S. The truckers and protestors created a GoFundMe page on January 14, and so far they've raised $10 million CAD. These funds are now being withheld.
The Freedom Convoy is sending a bold message to the world: they will not comply with the coronavirus vaccine mandates. They recently arrived at the U.S.-Canadian border and are blocking the area. Thousands of people have joined in on the protest as well.
GoFundMe Announced They Are Freezing the Funds
The Freedom Convoy GoFundMe page raised much more money than originally anticipated. "We are asking for Donations to help with the costs of fuel first, and hopefully food and lodgings to help ease the pressures of this arduous task," they wrote on their page.
Initially, GoFundMe was cooperating with them, and apparently, they even released $1 million of the donations to the truckers for them to use. But things have changed. As of February 2, GoFundMe has frozen the donations until further notice and will not be releasing them to the truckers.
This fundraiser is currently paused and under review.
"This fundraiser is currently paused and under review to ensure it complies with our terms of service and applicable laws and regulations," the GoFundMe message read. "Our team is working 24/7 and doing all we can to protect both organizers and donors. Thank you for your patience."
Ottawa City Councilor Demanded the Funds Be Frozen
On the same day that GoFundMe announced they were ceasing to release the donations, Ottawa City Councilor Diane Deans made a statement asking GoFundMe to freeze the funds because the truckers have occupied Ottawa. What a coincidence.
"I want to ask the mayor and ask GoFundMe in the States directly and demand that they cease and desist sending money to these protestors," she said. "We've had some conversation about perhaps suing GoFundMe, but legal action takes time, and this is urgent."
We need to cut off the pipeline of funding to these people – mercenaries, if you will.
"We need to cut off the pipeline of funding to these people – mercenaries, if you will – who are unlawfully protesting and occupying our communities," she concluded.
It's important to note that Deans refers to the truckers as "mercenaries," as if they are committing acts of violence by simply protesting for their right to medical freedom. This isn't the first time GoFundMe has withheld donations from a cause they didn't agree with. In 2020, Matt Braynard, who was a staffer for the 2016 Trump campaign, set up an account to raise money to investigate voter fraud. GoFundMe took the page down and refunded the money to all the participants.
It's too soon to say what will happen to the Freedom Convoy's donations, but it's not looking like GoFundMe has plans on releasing those funds to the truckers anytime soon.