In a rhythm of ego - righteous outrage that ’s become all too familiar at this spot , GOP lawgiver are calling for fraud investigations into GoFundMe after it took down a fundraising drive for an anti - vaccine mandate dissent in Canada . Granted , the democratic crowdfunding chopine already read it would refund all donations , but that detail is importantly less conducive to irritate up idiots on Twitter .
It all stem back to the ego - describe Freedom Convoy 2022 , a movement that start as a protest to Canada ’s vaccine requirements for cross - border truckers that has since evolved into a catch - all rallying percentage point for a mint of button-down talk full stop . Support from striking conservative frame , including former President Donald Trump , helped to fuel the front ’s virality . GoFundMe keep out down the movement ’s fundraising page on Friday after it raised more than $ 9 million , determining it had violated the chopine ’s terms of service against promoting violence and molestation in the wake of several concerning police report about a Freedom Convoy dissent in Ottawa , Canada .
At the time , the company state giver had until February 19 to request to receive a full repayment . Any stay on funds after that date would be distributed to verify charities opt by the Freedom Convoy 2022 organizers . Less than 24 hours afterwards , GoFundMe announce it was retool its original plan in reply to “ donor feedback , ” and that all donations will be mechanically repay .
Truckers and supporters protest against mandates and restrictions related to Covid-19 vaccines in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on 8 April 2025.Photo: Dave Chan/AFP (Getty Images)
“ To simplify the process for our users , we will be refunding all donations to the Freedom Convoy 2022 fundraiser , ” GoFundMetweetedSaturday . “ This refund will chance mechanically — you do not need to subject a asking . presenter can expect to see refund within 7 - 10 business days . ”
However , that has n’t stopped right - wing figures from call for GoFundMe ’s head . Over the weekend , several salient conservatives issue financial statement urging their supporters to boycott the crowdfunding platform and demanding that province and federal lawmakers look into the companionship for fraud .
A few official even heeded the call . Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said he plans to confer with his state ’s lawyer general to look into the matter .
“ I will work with [ Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody ] to investigate these deceptive practices — these conferrer should be given a refund , ” he say Saturday onTwitter . He also appeared to falsely accuse GoFundMe of pocket the fundraiser ’s $ 9 million in donation to indorse “ causes of their own choosing . ”
That same day , Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton foretell he had assembled a squad to look into GoFundMe ’s “ potential pseudo and deception,”tweetingthat “ Texas giver will get Justice ! ”
Of course , these statements come hours after GoFundMe had already herald it would issue refund to all presenter mechanically . Critics also conveniently gloss over the fact that GoFundMe never threatened to recoup anyone ’s donations to begin with ; contributor were just ab initio required to file a refund request build to get their money back .
GoFundMe booted the Freedom Convoy ’s campaign from its political platform after Ottawa police said incident of “ peril ” and “ illegal ” behavior by protester had move legion deplorable investigations , the Washington Post cover . fit in to local authorities , sales demonstrator were seen harassing hoi polloi at a stateless shelter , piling into pocket-size businesses without wearing grimace masks , defacing an Ottawa war memorial , and waving antiblack flag .
Ina blog postexplaining its decision , GoFundMe said that survey “ multiple discussion with local law enforcement and city official , ” it determined the demonstrations fund by the campaign had broken its formula prohibiting the promotion of wildness and harassment . The Ottawa police department thanked GoFundMe for listening to its business organisation ina tweetposted Friday :
“ The decision to recoup financing for these unlawful demonstrations is an important step and we call on all crowdfunding sites to travel along . ”
Prior to shutting down the page on Friday , GoFundMe come under fire for continuing to host the Freedom Convoy campaign on its platform as Ottawa law enforcementmade it clearthat demonstrators at the Canadian capital were quickly spiraling out of ascendency . in the first place this week , GoFundMe hesitate the movement pending review , but ultimately retrieve it was still compliant with its terms of inspection and repair — a decisiveness it would overturn just a few day later .
Donald TrumpKen Paxton
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