Canadian truckers have continually demonstrated their resistance to tyranny with ongoing demonstrations amid freezing temperatures. Over 55,000 people supported “The ‘Freedom Convoy 2022” and donated over $4 million on the crowdfunding site GoFundMe. In response, the company has frozen access to all donated funds with a vague explanation as to why.
“We require that fundraisers be transparent about the flow of funds and have a clear plan for how those funds will be spent. In this case, we are in touch with the organizer to verify that information,” Rachel Hollis, a spokeswoman for GoFundMe, said in an email. “Funds will be safely held until the organizer is able to provide the documentation to our team about how funds will be properly distributed.”
Tamara Lich, the campaign’s creator, said that this was simply a scare tactic. “Freedom Convoy 2022” has a clear message on its site: “We are taking our fight to the doorsteps of our Federal Government and demanding that they cease all mandates against its people. Small businesses are being destroyed, homes are being destroyed, and people are being mistreated and denied fundamental necessities to survive.” Furthermore, the site said that all donated funds would go toward “fuel, food and lodgings to help ease the pressures of this arduous task.” Since over 50,000 truckers have been protesting across Western Canada to Ottawa, the expenses are rising.
This is not the first time GoFundMe has frozen funds intended for a good cause. A 16-year-old boy passed away days after receiving the Pfizer vaccine due to heart failure. In response, GoFundMe removed the boy’s campaign from their website for “prohibited conduct.” The grieving father launched another campaign on the crowdfunding site Life Funder, which may become more popular as people move away from GoFundMe. I would not want to donate money through a platform that feels the pious obligation to decide which causes are worthy of donations.
