GoFundMe Cancels Candace Owens’ Fundraiser After George Floyd Video Goes Viral
Paged pulled after comments made by Parkside Cafe
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Conservative commentator Candace Owens had her fundraiser suspended by GoFundMe following her viral Facebook video which deviated from the narrative of the death of George Floyd.
The fundraiser, which was created to help an Alabama bar, was pulled due to the controversial comments made by its owner about Floyd and protesters, reports say.
Last week, Owens raised more than $200,000 for Birmingham’s Parkside Cafe, which had become a victim of the riots.
But the co-owner of the bar, Michael Dykes, described Floyd was a “thug” and branded protesters idiots” in a text message which was later posted online.
Owens said she was helping the “already-struggling business” after Dykes’ comments led to a boycott.
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Owens wrote on Twitter following the GoFundMe suspension:
"After raising $205,000 in a few hours, @gofundme decided to halt my campaign for the Parkside Cafe in Alabama. At their discretion, they deemed that funds raised for a conservative business constitutes “intolerance” They WILL however, give the funds raised thus far to the cafe..."
After raising $205,000 in a few hours @gofundme decided to halt my campaign for the Parkside Cafe in Alabama. At their discretion, they deemed that funds raised for a conservative business constitutes “intolerance”
— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) June 7, 2020
They WILL however give the funds raised thus far to the cafe... pic.twitter.com/Mfw88iDKRi
Candace Owens Declares She Will Run For Political Office And Win
— Neon Nettle (@NeonNettle) April 2, 2020
READ MORE: https://t.co/Wk7UvadDgP
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GoFundMe cited a violation of their terms of service for the reasons for the suspension, which based on a screenshot Owens posted online.
The fundraising platform also referenced user content the company deemed "to be in support of hate, violence, harassment, bullying, discrimination, terrorism or intolerance of any kind."
Birmingham's WIAT reported that the page was removed due to falsehoods against the black community during a time of profound national crisis.
Dykes’ text reportedly caused staffers to quit, and the employee who posted it to Facebook has since resigned.
Parkside Cafe apologized for Dykes’ comments:
“It in no way reflects the opinions or beliefs of the staff or other owners," the bar wrote, according to the station.
Owens' video on George Floyd has now amassed 80 million views on Facebook.
