GoFundMe has blocked access to over $4.5 million raised by a Canadian trucker “Freedom Convoy” protesting COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
The fundraising campaign had received donations from more than 60,000 donors as of Tuesday.
“We require that fundraisers be transparent about the flow of funds and have a clear plan for how those funds will be spent. In this case, we are in touch with the organizer to verify that information,” Rachel Hollis, a GoFundMe spokeswoman, said in an email, according to the Toronto Star.
GoFundMe confirms trucker freedom convoy funds being held until ‘clear plan’ is revealed https://t.co/aNZ9WKPglH pic.twitter.com/Dg2u28voXD
— Global National (@GlobalNational) January 25, 2022
“Funds will be safely held until the organizer is able to provide the documentation to our team about how funds will be properly distributed,” the report added.
The fundraiser clearly outlined its purposes in the description of the GoFundMe page.
“To our Fellow Canadians, the time for political over reach is over. Our current government is implementing rules and mandates that are destroying the foundation of our businesses, industries and livelihoods. Canadians have been integral to the fabric of humanity in many ways that have shaped the planet,” organizer Tamara Lich said.
“We are a peaceful country that has helped protect nations across the globe from tyrannical governments who oppressed their people, and now it seems it is happening here. We are taking our fight to the doorsteps of our Federal Government and demanding that they cease all mandates against its people,” the page added.
The group planned to use the donations to help with travel expenses related to the 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,” Lich explained.
The growing convoy continues to build momentum as truckers head toward the nation’s capital of Ottawa.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we have 150,000 trucks and truckers and a total of 700,000 people by the time we hit Ottawa,” Northern BC organizer Art Meise of Prince George told Kelowna Now.
Social media continues to show a wide range of videos and photos with reports of long lines of trucks that are part of the convoy.
Crying as I watch footage of the truckers freedom convoy, I am realizing how much trauma our canadian government has caused, continues to cause and how broken I am. It is unforgivable. pic.twitter.com/4fq7p5q8w1
— E-co Fashion 👠 (@EcoFashionByBG) January 24, 2022
The convoy from the west coast, one of the multiple groups traveling from different parts of Canada, also shared a video from their first day.
As The Daily Wire previously reported:
Many Canadian truck drivers are participating due to a January 15 deadline that forces unvaccinated drivers to observe a two-week quarantine and COVID-19 test before crossing into Canada from the U.S.
The U.S. also implemented new restrictions starting January 22 that will require non-U.S. individuals entering the nation at the Canadian border to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has urged the government to extend an exemption that had been in place for truckers, according to a Reuters report.
“Common sense tells us that we are at the peak of supply chain constraints across North America, around the world, huge inflation,” Kenney said.