Update Note Feb 4: GoFundMe originally said (archive) that they “will work with organizers to send all remaining funds to credible and established charities verified by GoFundMe.”
They’ve since added a stealth edit on their post to say: “we will work with organizers to send all remaining funds to credible and established charities chosen by the Freedom Convoy 2022 organizers and verified by GoFundMe.”
Update Note Feb 5: GoFundMe has now changed its mind and announced that they will be refunding all donors.
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Online crowdfunding platform GoFundMe has permanently suspended donations for the Canadian truckers’ Freedom Convoy page which had raised over $10 million to support the ongoing protest against Covid-19 vaccine mandates.
On Wednesday, the prominent fundraising platform, that has been accused of hindering free expression and applying its policies selectively, suspended the ability to make donations and added an “Under Review” message to the page.
The disclaimer said: “This fundraiser is currently paused and under review to ensure it complies with our terms of service and applicable laws and regulations.
“Our team is working 24/7 and doing all we can to protect both organizers and donors. Thank you for your patience.”
It was the second time that GoFundMe had put some kind of hold on the fundraiser. The first time, the platform allowed donations but was withholding the funds, preventing them from being able to be withdrawn by the civil liberties campaigners.
Now, GoFundMe has permanently deleted the listing after allegedly consulting with local law enforcement.
“To 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,” the platform said in a statement.
“Following 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.”
Those that donated to the cause can contact their banks to reverse the payment.
The fundraiser was created by Tamara Lich and BJ Dichter to raise funds to pay for fuel, food, and lodgings of those who are participating in the convoy.
Incidents such as this are common with the GoFundMe platform.
