Freedom Convoy Raises $2M on GiveSendGo After GoFundMe Removes Campaign

A new fundraising appeal for Canadian truckers protesting vaccine mandates has already raised millions of dollars after GoFundMe halted the campaign on its website.

A new appeal for the Canadian Freedom Convoy has raised more than $2.1 million out of a $16,000 target on platform GiveSendGo after GoFundMe halted the campaign after police raised concerns of violence. This include one anonymous donor giving the truckers $215,000 on the now platform.

The original GoFundMe appeal had raised an estimated $9 million before website managers said it would withhold money donated to support the truckers.

In a fresh campaign, under the name Freedom Convoy 2022, organizers said it was raising the funds for truckers protesting against vaccine mandates in Canada.

Organizers said on the fundraising page: "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.

"Small businesses are being destroyed, homes are being destroyed and people are being mistreated and denied fundamental necessities to survive.

"It's our duty as Canadians to put an end to this mandates (sic). It is imperative that this happens because if we don't our country will no longer be the country we have come to love. We are doing this for our future generations and to regain our lives back."

Protests began after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Government implemented a vaccine mandate for truckers who crossed the U.S.-Canada border.

A convoy of truckers started a cross-country drive that began in the west of the country and quickly gathered support from conservatives and right-wing figures abroad.

Among those who have voice support for the convoy include Donald Trump Jr., Candace Owens and Ted Cruz as well as others who have said the truckers are fighting back against government overreach.

But Ottawa Police have been critical of the protests in the city and condemned what it called "hatred, violence and illegal acts" that residents had endured and praised GoFundMe's decision to stop the appeal.

In a Saturday Twitter post, an Ottawa Police spokesperson said: "We want to thank @gofundme for listening to our concerns as a city and a police service."

Politicians in Ottawa also claimed the freedom convoy had held the city "hostage" and applauded GoFundMe for removing the previous campaign from its website.

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson also applauded the decision, adding: "I want to sincerely thank the team at @gofundme for listening to the plea made by the city and the Ottawa Police to no longer provide funds to the convoy organizers.

"In light of the unlawful behavior that has transpired in the last few days they have come to the right decision in support of our city and our residents. These protesters have been holding our city hostage for a week now and I'm hopeful that limiting their access to funding and resources will restrict their ability to remain in Ottawa.

"I am imploring similar crowdfunding platforms to take the same position and not enable the group in its fundraising efforts, which would deal a blow to our efforts to put an end to this occupation."

On Thursday, Prime Minister Trudeau said his government had so far ruled out using the military to clear out protesters.

According to the BBC, he said: "One has to be very, very cautious before deploying military in situations engaging Canadians."

Newsweek has contacted GiveSendGo and the office of Prime Minister Trudeau for comment.