- The “Freedom Convoy” began as a protest against vaccine mandates for truckers, the group has taken to the streets in Ottawa for two weekends and demonstrated in other cities.
- A convoy of trucks backed up the US-Canada border Monday, forcing the Ambassador Bridge to shut down.
- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the protest “has to stop.”
- Ottawa Police are investigating dozens of criminal incidents connected to the protest, including property damage and hate crimes.
- Ottawa’s mayor declared a state of emergency Sunday as protests continued.
- After raising millions of dollars, GoFundMe ended the group’s fundraiser on its platform, saying evidence from law enforcement shows the “peaceful demonstration has become an occupation.”
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Convoy raises $6M after GoFundMe shut down
The “Freedom Convoy” has raised over $6 million in donations on a new site after GoFundMe shut down the group’s fundraiser on its platform.
The “Freedom Convoy” quickly generated donations as the movement spread across Canada, raising an estimated $9 million dollars on GoFundMe.
GoFundMe removed the “Freedom Convoy” donation page Friday, saying the-now violent nature of the demonstrations violates its terms of service.
“GoFundMe supports peaceful protests and we believe that was the intention of the Freedom Convoy 2022 fundraiser when it was first created,” GoFundMe wrote in a statement.
“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.”
Originally, GoFundMe said it would withhold donations and refund donors who fill out a request form. GoFundMe is now automatically refunding all donations back to donors.
To simplify the process for our users, we will be refunding all donations to the Freedom Convoy 2022 fundraiser. This refund will happen automatically—you do not need to submit a request. Donors can expect to see refunds within 7-10 business days.
— GoFundMe (@gofundme) February 5, 2022
The “Freedom Convoy” has since re-homed fundraising efforts on GiveSendGo, a Christian crowdfunding platform. More than $6.2 million has been raised as of Tuesday morning, the page lists a $16 million goal.
Fundraiser organizers say their goal is to demand the government “cease all mandates against its people.”
“We are asking for donations to help with the costs of fuel first, and hopefully food and lodgings to help ease the pressures of this arduous task,” the donation page reads.
GiveSendGo said the “Freedom Convoy” became its largest campaign ever, raising over $4.5 million dollars in less than 24 hours.
“No one should be able to control what you choose to raise money for or donate to!” GiveSendGo tweeted Monday.
In a statement, GiveSendGo said it does not condone violence, stating campaign organizers gave assurance that all funds will support “peaceful” truckers.
“As in any polarized situation, we recognize there will be a few individuals and groups that might intentionally try to incite violence, which will be used to stain this movement by opposing groups,” GiveSendGo wrote in a statement.
“We will not broad-stroke those individual situations as a depiction of what this movement represents as if they were affiliated.”
Protesters block access to Ambassador Bridge
Protesters in Canada blocked access to the Ambassador Bridge between the U.S. and Canada, demanding that COVID restrictions and vaccine mandates be lifted.
“Freedom Convoy” drivers hindered travel Monday at the Ambassador Bridge that links Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit.
Traffic Canadian bound was still shut down as of Tuesday morning.
The Ambassador Bridge, which sits between the U.S. and Canada, was backed up by trucks from the ongoing ‘Freedom Truckers’ protest on Monday. Truckers have said they will not leave until COVID-19 restrictions and vaccine mandates are lifted. pic.twitter.com/o0AnoBLXbp
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) February 8, 2022
“Individuals are trying to blockade our economy, our democracy, and our fellow citizens’ daily lives. It has to stop,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday during an emergency parliamentary debate in Ottawa.
