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‘Freedom Convoy’ Lawyers Demand GoFundMe Release Fundraising Haul

   DailyWire.com
A supporter holds a sign while participating in a "Freedom Convoy" protesting against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions in front of the Parliament of Canada on January 28, 2022 in Ottawa, Canada.
DAVE CHAN/AFP via Getty Images

Lawyers for Canada’s Freedom Convoy are demanding that GoFundMe end its hold on more than $10 million donors have given to support its efforts to oppose the nation’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, a Calgary-based non-profit law firm, announced on Thursday that it is representing the organizers of the fundraiser that has quickly become one of the largest in GoFundMe’s history.

“The truck convoy is a representation of Canadians’ frustrations with extreme government overreach, and unprecedented restrictions on their fundamental rights and freedoms,” Keith Wilson, lead counsel for the Justice Centre, said in a statement.

“Contrary to positions taken by government leaders, the Convoy represents ordinary, hard working Canadians – truckers, families, small business owners, Canadians who have lost jobs, income, missed holding the hand of a dying family member, been refused service in a store, or had their children miss months of school during lockdowns. The Convoy represents Canadians who are fed up with two weeks ‘to flatten the curve’ turning into two years of restrictions, mandates and decimation of democracy,” he added.

Tamara Lich, one of the organizers of the Freedom Convoy fundraising effort, also shared a statement, saying, “We are here out of love for our families, our communities and our nation. These past two years, the covid mandates have divided us.”

“This protest began because of the federal government’s restrictions on truckers’ freedoms. Our movement has grown in Canada and across the world because common people are tired of the mandates and restrictions in their own lives that now seem to be doing more harm than good. As of today, Sweden, Denmark, UK, Norway, Finland, Ireland, and Switzerland have removed all covid mandates and restrictions. We are therefore calling on all levels of government in Canada to end all covid mandates and restrictions. We will continue our protest until we see a clear plan for their elimination,” she added.

The GoFundMe page lists the current total raised for the Freedom Convoy at $10,093,200 Canadian. New donations cannot currently be added.

“This fundraiser is currently paused and under review to ensure it complies with our terms of service and applicable laws and regulations. Our team is working 24/7 and doing all we can to protect both organizers and donors. Thank you for your patience,” the page reads.

The donations are intended to assist with travel expenses related to the growing Freedom Convoy.

“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 fundraising description reads in part.

“It’s a small price to pay for our freedoms. We thank you all for your Donations and know that you are helping reshape this once beautiful country back to the way it was,” it added.

The fundraiser also drew the attention of Fox News host Sean Hannity, who criticized Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s demonizing of the peaceful protest. The Daily Wire reported on Thursday:

The Fox News personality added that he had a direct message for Trudeau regarding his misrepresentation and mistreatment of Canada’s truckers.

“I have a message for you Prime Minister,” Hannity said. “You’re a disgrace in terms of being an excuse for a leader. But demonizing hardworking truckers and anyone else who doesn’t surrender to your point-of-view….This is how you lead when you’re supposed to be a public servant?” Hannity also accused Trudeau of embodying the left’s “never-ending” power grab.“It’s the complete embodiment of the failed far-left rule, never-ending pandemic power grabs,” Hannity commented.

“Instead of lecturing these guys that are pivotal to the supply chain, and literally bring everything to every store that consumers need, why don’t you get your a** out of your office and go to Ottawa, sit down with the truckers, and listen to them,” the Fox News host argued. “Start being a public servant instead of a public lecturer.”Hannity also addressed a popular GoFundMe fundraiser started by organizers of the Freedom Convoy that reached more than $10 million in donations but has now been locked by the platform.

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