Attorneys general, including Texas’ AG Ken Paxton have begun an investigation into GoFundMe’s takedown of the Canadian “Freedom Convoy” fund. The convoy is made up of truckers and other blue-collar workers protesting against the recent border crossing COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
The funds were intended to support the protesters via food and supplies while on the road. The donations totaled around $10 million Canadian, about $8 million USD.
However, despite the growing support for the movement, GoFundMe has decided to remove the fundraising page from its website after protesters shut down Ambassador Bridge, a major border crossing between the U.S. and Canada, citing “law enforcement reports of violence and other unlawful activity.”
The Deadline reported that GoFundMe originally announced it would refund donors at their request, and donate the remaining money to charities chosen by the “Freedom Convoy” officials and verified by the site.
The company then changed direction, refunding all donors automatically, saying “donor feedback” led to the decision.
In a statement explaining its decision, GoFundMe cited their reasoning as being that the protest had turned into an “occupation” in regards to the situation on the Ambassador Bridge.
GoFundMe states that they have the right to take down any campaign that violates their terms and conditions, especially in Term 8, which covers violence and harassment.
It should be noted that during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, GoFundMe allowed Black Lives Matter campaigns to remain on its platform despite some protests becoming violent, such as the burning of federal buildings in Portland.
The biggest Black Lives Matter fund, which has brought in over $3 million, promised to spend money on “materials for protests, rallies, demonstrations, and events.” Its funds contributed to the protests in Los Angeles, which became violent as well.
Betsy McCaughey from the New York Post commented on the takedown, noting that it is time to “rein in Big Tech.”
“When GoFundMe shut down funding Friday for the truckers’ Freedom Convoy, it didn’t just clobber Canadian rig drivers. It dealt a blow to the rights of Americans. Silicon Valley executives are trying to limit the causes Americans support, favoring leftist ones and canceling conservatives,” McCaughey declared.
On Wednesday, Paxton issued a Civil Investigative Demand to GoFundMe, the AG’s office reports.
Paxton and others, such as Missouri’s AG Eric Schmitt, claimed that GoFundMe violated the Deceptive Trade Practices Act and are asking GoFundMe to present a number of documents relating to the case.
“I am acting to protect Texas consumers so that they know where their hard-earned money is going, rather than allowing GoFundMe to divert money to another cause without the consent of Texas citizens. I will get to the bottom of this deceitful action,” Paxton wrote.