USA TODAY International Edition
GoFundMe bans aid linked to violence
No travel expenses to political protests
GoFundMe will ban fundraisers geared toward paying travel expenses to violent political protests.
The crowdfunding platform is taking the measure after rioters stormed the U. S. Capitol last Wednesday – leading to the deaths of five people, including a police officer.
“We strongly condemn the violence and attempted insurrection and will continue to remove fundraisers that attempt to spread misinformation about the election, promote conspiracy theories and contribute to or participate in attacks on US democracy,” GoFundMe said in a statement to USA TODAY.
The spokesperson said the company will also remove fundraisers for travel expenses for any future political events where there is a “risk of violence by the attendees.”
Several people on social media are applauding GoFundMe’s efforts, with one Twitter user saying, “it’s good to know more companies are taking a stand after the siege on our US Capitol.”
The platform also began a fundraiser for United States Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick, who died of injuries sustained during the riot.
Social media giants have also taken measures to impede any incitement of violence on their platforms after the protests. Facebook will remove content containing the phrase “stop the steal” on both Facebook an Instagram, referring to the president’s baseless allegations that the presidential election that he decisively lost was rigged.