Conservative activist and occasional Fox News contributor Candace Owens is crying foul after having her account suspended by GoFundMe for violating the crowd funding platform's terms of service.
Owens claimed to be the victim of discrimination.
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... pic.twitter.com/Mfw88iDKRi
— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) June 7, 2020
While I am glad they will give the funds raised this far to the cafe to the owner, I am angry that such a blatant form of discrimination is acceptable by @gofundme. There was NOTHING intolerant or violent about raising funds to help a conservative business owner.
— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) June 7, 2020
Once again, conservatives and Trump supporters need to adapt to a world that tells us that our very existence is unacceptable. That our ideas, thoughts, and now even our charitable efforts are unacceptable. That threatening, boycotting, and cancelling us is okay.
— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) June 7, 2020
However GoFundMe had a different view.
According to a statement from the crowd funding platform:
"GoFundMe has suspended the account associated with Candace Owens and the GoFundMe campaign has been removed because of a repeated pattern of inflammatory statements that spread hate, discrimination, intolerance and falsehoods against the black community at a time of profound national crisis."
"These actions violate our terms of service."
"GoFundMe will work with the Parkside Café's staff to facilitate the transfer of the funds raised on their behalf. It's important to remember that when money is raised on behalf of another individual or organization, the funds are safely held by our payment processor, and only transferred directly to the beneficiary of the campaign."
"In this case, the money is safely held and will only be released to the Parkside Cafe. If a donor would like a refund, we will immediately process that refund request."
Owens' account was suspended while she raised funds for the Parkside Café in Birmingham, Alabama.
The Parkside Café drew backlash after co-owner Michael Dyke's text messages regarding George Floyd were made public.
Dykes texted:
"We should go up one or two dollars on everything until June 10th. Call it a protest tax because all the idiots that went to the protests are responsible for us not being able to open normal hours."
"Any employees that went or are going should resign. Mr. Floyd was a thug, didn't deserve to die but honoring a thug is irresponsible."
Three staff members resigned and the business and Dykes business partner, Robert Bagwell, denounced his comments. Dykes later apologized.
"I'm not a racist. I have many black friends. I have friends from Gambia and other places."
Dykes added:
"Yes, I made a mistake and called Mr. Floyd a thug. I regret that. I really do regret that."
"I am sorry for what I said. I did not mean disrespect to Mr. Floyd, ever."
Dykes said he wrote the texts after watching a Candace Owens' video on Facebook.
Owens decided to begin a fundraiser for the café. It's unclear whether she reached out to the business owners before launching the campaign.
People were less than sympathetic to Owens' plight.
I can read. You weren't booted because you were conservative.
— Randy Bryce (@IronStache) June 7, 2020
This is a woman who claimed she NEVER experienced racism yet sued an education board after being racially harassed by a couple of students. She also says racism is a myth & not as prevalent as ppl are led to believe! 🤔 DO NOT BE FOOLED BY HER! She sold her soul to get ahead!
— JollyMamaRogers (@LisaRogers1979) June 7, 2020
Er, wait...how am I trying to spin it?! She sued...because SHE ACCUSED THEM. OF RACISM! BUT CLAIMS THAT SHE NEVER EXPERIENCED RACISM!!! Think it's YOU trying to spin it! Nice try!!!
— JollyMamaRogers (@LisaRogers1979) June 7, 2020
Or Candace can tell the whole story instead of the parts that fit her narrative. She got the attention she craves.
— Blaine Prickett (@ANormalFlame) June 7, 2020
That's not what you were doing. It was purely an exercise in intolerance & bigotry. These are your calling cards, the qualities you proudly brag about, every single day of your life. There is no way you can complain about being accused of what you embrace wholeheatedly.
— StanleyRJordan🇨🇦 (@jorstan101) June 7, 2020
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 And the truth is always out there: pic.twitter.com/wQwg33qogA
— Maia (@MaiaIsMyName13) June 7, 2020
GoFundMe did not indicate in their statement if Owens' suspension was permanent.
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