A GoFundMe page was launched on Thursday to replace the glasses owned by Ben Jacobs, a reporter for the Guardian who was allegedly body slammed by then-candidate for Montana’s U.S. House seat Greg Gianforte on Wednesday.
The GoFundMe page was originally titled: “Help Ben Jacobs buy new glasses” but has since changed to “Help Protect Journalists,” after Jacobs responded to the fundraising page by saying he appreciated the gesture, but would like all donations to go to the Committee to Protest Journalists.
I told them to give all the money to CPJ https://t.co/kxOOEjg9JS
— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) May 26, 2017
In just one day, the page has racked up just over $5,000 in donations as of press time.
Many of the donor comments on the page contain praise for journalists’ hard work and commitment to democracy.
The CPJ has since thanked Jacobs for requesting to pass the donations off to their cause.
Thanks a lot, Ben. We really appreciate it.
— CPJ (@pressfreedom) May 26, 2017
Gianforte ended up winning the special election on Thursday, after he was cited for misdemeanor assault, and apologized to Jacobs.
