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Jan 26, 2022 · GoFundMe has frozen access to the more than $4.7 million in funds raised by the trucker convoy now winding its way across the country toward Ottawa in a protest against vaccine mandates. "We ...
- Overview
- Why GoFundMe says it blocked donations
Four states are investigating GoFundMe after the fundraising service banned donations to an organization of truckers protesting COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in Canada.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said on Wednesday that his office will investigate GoFundMe for blocking and withholding donations already made to the platform through its website. Removing the campaign from its site could violate the state's Deceptive Trade Practices Act, he said.
GoFundMe announced last week that it would halt any fundraisers that violated its terms of service, including campaigns that condone violence. GoFundMe on February 4 said it was taking down Canadian truckers' "Freedom Convoy" campaign protesting vaccine mandates and other COVID-19 restrictions after determining that the demonstrations had become what the company termed an "occupation," citing "police reports of violence and other unlawful activity."
GoFundMe initially said it would give supporters of the now-defunct campaign, which raised nearly $8 million, until February 19 to request refunds. It also said it would direct any remaining donations to "credible and established charities chosen by the Freedom Convoy 2022 organizers and verified by GoFundMe."
But the company later reversed course, saying it would automatically refund campaign supporters in order to simplify the process. Donors can expect refunds within 10 business days, according to GoFundMe.
Florida, Missouri and West Virginia are also probing GoFundMe's handling of the "Freedom Convoy" campaign. Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt alleged that GoFundMe is trying to silence the group, while Florida Governor Ron DeSantis accused the company of fraud when it said it would funnel funds to other charities.
"It is a fraud for @gofundme to commandeer $9M in donations sent to support truckers and give it to causes of their own choosing," the governor wrote on Twitter. "I will work with @AGAshleyMoody to investigate these deceptive practices — these donors should be given a refund."
West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey also said GoFundMe's initial plan to redirect money violated state law and asked residents to report any deceptive acts or practices by GoFundMe.
- Cerullo
- CBS News
- Reporter, Moneywatch
Feb 3, 2022 · A person walks past trucks parked on a street in downtown Ottawa on Wednesday. GoFundMe has paused donations to the “Freedom convoy” truckers protest as funds surpassed $10 million this week ...
Feb 6, 2022 · A new appeal for the Canadian Freedom Convoy has raised more than $2.1 million out of a $16,000 target on platform GiveSendGo after GoFundMe halted the campaign after police raised concerns of ...
Feb 3, 2022 · Tamara Lich, organizer for a protest convoy by truckers and supporters demanding an end to COVID-19 vaccine mandates, delivers a statement during a news conference in Ottawa, Thursday, Feb. 3 ...
- Bryan Passifiume
Feb 3, 2022 · GoFundMe has paused donations to truck drivers protesting against vaccine mandates in Canada. Donations to the page "Freedom Convoy 2022" had reached C$10m ($7.9m; £5.8m), by Wednesday afternoon ...
People also ask
What happened to the GoFundMe for Canada's 'freedom convoy' Truckers?
Does GoFundMe have a position on the Ottawa convoy?
Did GoFundMe refund freedom convoy fundraiser?
Why did GoFundMe freeze a trucker convoy?
How much money did GoFundMe raise?
Is it a fraud for @GoFundMe to commandeer $9m in donations?
Feb 7, 2022 · Thereafter, the privilege was revoked, meaning unvaccinated drivers returning from Canada’s southern neighbour faced having to quarantine for 14 days, although that requirement would only have applied to a minority of around 16,000 drivers, given that 85 per cent of their colleagues have had their jabs, according to the Canadian Trucking Alliance.
