Dems, Lasry give up cash from man who dismissed Uyghurs
When a billionaire venture capitalist and limited owner of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors said “nobody cares about what’s happening to the Uyghurs,” the reaction reverberated worldwide — including in Wisconsin Democratic politics.
It turned out that Chamath Palihapitiya, the man who made those dismissive remarks about an oppressed Muslim minority in China, had contributed campaign cash to the Democratic Party of Wisconsin and Alex Lasry, a leading contender in the U.S. Senate race.
On Tuesday, the state Democratic Party and Lasry announced they were giving up the money.
State Democrats said they were donating $10,000 to a charity supporting Uyghurs, while Lasry’s campaign said it was returning a $2,900 donation.
In a statement, Devin Remiker, interim executive director of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, said: “In keeping with our commitment to democracy and human rights at home and abroad, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin applauds the Biden administration’s leadership in confronting China’s shameful and hideous treatment of its Uyghur population, and has made a $10,000 contribution to a charity supporting Uyghurs.”
Lasry campaign spokesman Thad Nation said: “Alex strongly disagrees with these comments and has said on the record how awful these atrocities are and that the United States needs to do more.”
Commenting on China’s actions against Uyghurs, Lasry recently told the website Jewish Insider: “These are atrocities.”
The controversy over Palihapitiya’s remarks flared after the Saturday release of his “All-In” podcast, co-hosted by Jason Calacanis, a tech entrepreneur.
During the conversation, Calacanis praised President Joe Biden’s China policies, including the administration’s support for the Uyghurs, who have been subjected to human rights abuses.
Palihapitiya responded: “Nobody cares about what’s happening to the Uyghurs, OK. You bring it up because you really care, and I think it’s nice that you care — the rest of us don’t care.”