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A prominent fundraising site cut ties with a convoy of Canadian truckers that had descended on that nation’s capital to protest COVID-19 vaccine mandates and regulations.
GoFundMe blocked the release of almost $10 million in donations to the “Freedom Convoy,” Friday in connection with “the promotion of violence and harassment” in Ottawa.
“We now have evidence from law enforcement that the previously peaceful demonstration has become an occupation, with police reports of violence and other unlawful activity,” the website wrote in a statement.
Donors had two weeks to ask for a refund, and the rest of the money the group raised would be allocated to “credible and established charities” chosen by Freedom Convoy organizers, the site said.
Thousands of truckers rolled into the Ontario city on Jan. 29, many of them blocking roads outside of Parliament buildings, honking loudly and brandishing Canadian flags and “F–k [Prime Minister Justin] Trudeau” banners.
Police were bracing for a surge of protestors to join their ranks this weekend, and said the situation was “increasingly volatile and increasingly dangerous,” The Toronto Star reported Friday
.
“The hatred, the violence, the illegal acts that Ottawa residents and businesses have endured over the last week is unacceptable in any circumstance,” Ottawa police Chief Peter Sloly reportedly said.
“Do not bring weapons. Do not bring firearms. Do not come here to cause harm. Do not come here to break the law. You will be held to account,” Sloly warned would be vigil-antis, after reports of a man arrested for trying to transport a weapon to the capital.
Sloly also said he was among city officials who had received death threats from protestors, according to the report.
On Wednesday, Facebook took down a page created by US truckers who were planning to ride from California to Washington DC for a similar protest.
The “Convoy to DC 2022” page was taken down for violating the social network’s policy against sharing QAnon conspiracy theories, according to Fox News.
Organizer Brian Brase told the outlet his group wanted to end US vaccine mandates through peaceful protest.
“This crosses all genders, all races, all sexual orientations, all occupations. Truckers might be standing up, but it’s not about the truckers. It’s about America.”
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