The first batch of funds, a reported $1 million, has been released by GoFundMe for a fund organized to support Canadian truckers protesting their nation’s vaccine mandates.
The GoFundMe account, which now totals a stunning $7.4 million-plus in donations, was frozen earlier this week by the crowdfunding page.
Co-founders of the fundraiser Tamara Lich and B.J. Dichter announced Thursday that some of the money had been released.
Co-founders of the fundraiser Tamara Lich and B.J. Dichter announced Thursday that some of the money had been released.
“We have some great news to share with all of you! We have received confirmation that GoFundMe has released our first batch of funds and is initiating our first transfer,” posted Dichter in a GoFundMe update. “We can’t thank you enough for your patience.”
Dichter slammed the media for implying the funds were frozen for nefarious reasons.
“Sadly, the legacy media felt it was necessary to publish news articles implying that GoFundMe had frozen our funds for a variety of outrageous reasons,” the post said, adding, “For our case, because of the overwhelming donations we have received, and we are currently the 8th fastest growing campaign in their history, the constant attempts by activists to flag our campaign as illegitimate exacerbated the already tedious process.”
“The team at GoFundMe have been amazing to work with and we are very appreciative of their support,” the update said.
The Toronto Star reported this week that funds were frozen because GoFundMe “needed to see a plan for where the funds would go,” adding that a spokesperson for the fund said Thursday that “at least some of the funds — $1 million so far — have been released.”
