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GoFundMe suspends truckers convoy fund at $x million, some donors receive refunds
Some donors to Freedom Convoy 2022 have begun to receive unsolicited refunds from GoFundMe
With the multi-million dollar Freedom Convoy fundraiser now in suspended animation, some donors are reporting receiving refunds from GoFundMe.
On Wednesday evening, GoFundMe appear information technology was placing the fundraiser — which raised over $10 1000000 in just a few weeks — under review.
A argument released by GoFundMe implies its position on the convoy evolved as truckers and their supporters began converging on Ottawa Jan. 29.
"We strictly prohibit user content that reflects or promotes behavior in support of violence — in this instance, the organizer met our requirements and the fundraiser did not violate our Terms of Service at the time of creation," the statement read.
GoFundMe said it has kept in close contact with both organizers and local police enforcement.
"As part of our information gathering process, nosotros as well requested more information from the organizer regarding the utilize of funds to ensure the fundraiser is still compliant with our Terms of Service," the statement read.
"When we do not receive required information, we may put a pause on donations as we did in this case."
The statement makes no mention of refunding donors, and inquiries to GoFundMe for clarification went unacknowledged.
On Th, Ottawa police issued a statement confirming they'd met with GoFundMe officials.
"GoFundMe has paused fundraising for the current demonstrations and is currently conducting a review to verify whether or non the campaign complies with their terms of service and applicative laws and regulations," information technology read, adding the law supports the decision to halt the fundraiser.
That was piddling comfort to convoy donor Brad Maier, who was puzzled to find an email from GoFundMe Midweek afternoon informing him — without explanation — that his donation was being refunded.
"The email looks legitimate, I merely desire to wait and see if it actually gets refunded to my credit card," he told the National Mail service.
"And then I will know if it's legit."
Maier's post to the AB Coutts Convoy Facebook page on Wednesday sparked an firsthand reaction, garnering hundreds of likes and shares.
Others on social media also reported unexplained refunds.
Maier's refund email appears legitimate — information technology was sent from a gofundme.com email accost, referenced the exact dollar amount he'd donated, and lacked the customary 'click here to merits refund' link common in online phishing scams.
Earlier this week, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson chosen on GoFundMe to dissociate itself from the convoy and its fundraising efforts, adding the city is because legal action to recoup the costs of policing the nearly week-long protest that'due south snarled traffic and subjected downtown residents to a 24-60 minutes cacophony of air horns and idling large rigs.
Officials previously pegged that price at nearly $800,000 per day, which includes calling for reinforcements from law services equally far away as Toronto and Pare Region.
Requests for annotate to convoy organizer Tamara Lich went unreturned, but she said at a Th afternoon press briefing that the convoy'southward accountants and lawyers are cooperating with GoFundMe to clear upwards their concerns.
"This morning, our lawyers sent GoFundMe all the details they take asked for," she said.
"I am confident that GoFundMe now has all of the information needed to immediately lift the interruption they put on our campaign."
The organization'south priority, she explained, is getting the money released and into the hands of protesters, who say they are using it to fuel trucks and feed the convoy.
Keith Wilson with the Justice Heart for Constitutional Freedoms told the press conference that organizers incorporated the convoy as a not-for-profit earlier this week, and that coin released by GoFundMe volition be kept in a dedicated organisation-run bank account.
Wilson said it'll be up to the convoy'due south legal squad to decide how best to distribute the money, simply provided no further details.
This isn't the showtime fourth dimension the convoy'southward fundraiser has fallen under GoFundMe'southward scrutiny.
As funds raised topped several million dollars, a temporary hold was placed by GoFundMe requesting a detailed disbursement plan from organizers, merely donations were withal being accepted.
GoFundMe released $1-million to organizers last week subsequently existence presented with a distribution plan.
• Email: bpassifiume@postmedia.com | Twitter: @bryanpassifiume
Source: https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/gofundme-suspends-truckers-convoy-fund-at-10-million-some-donors-receive-refunds
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