Summary

GoFundMe has suspended the "Freedom Convoy 2022 trucker campaign" due to the protest's shift from peaceful demonstration to an occupation with illegal activities, resulting in the platform issuing one of its largest refunds to donors.

Abstract

GoFundMe, a popular crowdfunding platform, has taken down the "Freedom Convoy 2022 trucker campaign" after it evolved from a protest against vaccine mandates into a disruptive occupation in Ottawa, marked by traffic blockages and incessant airhorn noise. Despite raising over $10 million, the campaign was removed following evidence of illegal activities provided by the Ottawa police. GoFundMe has pledged to refund the donations to the extent possible, with remaining funds to be directed to charitable causes. This action has prompted the launch of a new fundraising campaign on GiveSendGo, a Christian-oriented platform based in the US, which has agreed to support the "Incorporated Freedom 2022 Human Rights And Freedom Association." This situation echoes a previous high-profile GoFundMe refund case involving the "We The People Will Build The Wall" campaign, where funds were returned after the campaign's direction changed.

Opinions

The author implies that the initial intention of the "Freedom Convoy 2022" fundraiser was for a peaceful protest, but it devolved into an occupation with disruptive and illegal activities.
There is a suggestion that the noise from the protestors' airhorns was particularly distressing to residents and business owners.
The author seems to question the judgment of GiveSendGo for accepting the new campaign, hinting at a potential discrepancy between the site's Christian values and the funding of activities deemed illegal.
The author refers to the "Incorporated Freedom 2022 Human Rights And Freedom Association" in a manner that could be interpreted as skeptical, especially in light of GiveSendGo's mission statement to make a difference with the Body of Christ around the world.
The mention of the "We The People Will Build The Wall" campaign's refund reflects on the unpredictability and potential misuse of crowdfunding platforms, highlighting the challenges faced by GoFundMe in managing such campaigns.

GoFundMe Suspends Campaign

It’s one of the largest refunds ever issued

GoFundMe is a trusted crowdfunding platform used by many people around the world to generate funds and support for their cause.

They recently rejected the Freedom Convoy 2022 trucker campaign.

What began as a trucker protest against a vaccine mandate morphed into a convoy of trucks driving to downtown Ottawa. The trucks and protestors have been there for more than a week, blocking traffic and harassing the people who live in the area.

The worst part is the noise. They’re blowing the airhorns of their large trucks almost constantly, disrupting sleep and frightening residents and business owners alike.

Their GoFundMe campaign was very successful, raising more than $10 million dollars.

The Ottawa police force contacted the organization and provided them with evidence of the illegal activities that have been occurring.

In a statement posted to the website, GoFundMe said:

we “support peaceful protests and we believe that was the intention of the Freedom Convoy 2022 fundraiser when it was first created.”

When GoFundMe saw that the peaceful protest had turned into an occupation, they removed the fundraiser from the platform.

They said they will refund any money that can be traced back to the original donors. The rest will go to charity.

There is some hope that the lack of funding will end the occupation in Ottawa, although it’s been reported that a new campaign for the same cause has been created.

It’s on a site called GiveSendGo and it’s based in the US. Touted as the #1 Christian giving website, they were happy to accept the new campaign.

I guess the Christians in Delaware aren’t concerned about fundraising for illegal activities.

The money is going to go to the Incorporated Freedom 2022 Human Rights And Freedom Association.

I guess that’s a Christian organization spreading hope, or as the GiveSendGo site says, “A place to work together with the Body of Christ around the world to make a difference.”

Another famous GoFundMe refund

One of the most famous GoFundMe refunds ever issued was the $20 million dollar “We The People Will Build The Wall” campaign starting in 2018.

The money was refunded to hundreds of thousands of people after Brian Kolfage, the man behind the campaign, changed his mind. He said he wasn’t going to donate the money to the US federal government.

His new plan was to place the funds into a private nonprofit he’d created to build the wall himself.

Sources: Global News, GiveSendGo

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