Crowdfunding platform GoFundMe says it has changed its plans for the millions of dollars raised in support of protesters who have occupied downtown Ottawa for more than a week.
Posted at 3:44 p.m.
The company removed the fundraiser from its site on Friday evening, saying police evidence suggested it had turned into an “occupation, with police reports of violence and other illegal activity”, and had pledged either to reimburse the money collected or to redistribute it to charities chosen by the organizers of the demonstration.
But GoFundMe has since published a blog post stating that the company has changed its mind in response to “donor feedback” and will only issue refunds.
GoFundMe says those who donated to the Freedom Convoy campaign won’t need to submit refund requests and can expect to see their money returned within seven to 10 business days.
GoFundMe previously said it removed the fundraiser because it violated the site’s terms of service, which prohibit the promotion of violence and harassment.
A first million of the more than $10 million raised was handed over to organizers earlier this week.
One of the protest organizers, Tamara Lich, reacted in a video on Friday to announce a new official donation site, the United States-based GiveSendGo.