The GoFundMe page to support Canada’s “Freedom Convoy” of truckers barreled past the $9.6 million mark Tuesday afternoon with thousands of people logging on to support the cause.
The massive amount of money raised has surpassed the cash collected by Canada‘s major political parties during the fourth quarter of 2021 and is showing no signs of slowing down.
The money will be sent to truckers to “aid them with the cost of the journey,” the convoy’s GoFundMe page organizers Tamara Lich and B.J. Dichter wrote. “Funds will be spent to help cover the cost of fuel for our truckers first and foremost, will be used to assist with food if needed, and contribute to shelter if needed.”
The group’s GoFundMe goal is $10 million.
JUSTIN TRUDEAU SAYS HE WILL NOT MEET WITH TRUCKERS PROTESTING VACCINE MANDATES
The Canadian protests, which have gained steam over the past few days, started as a convoy of truckers who took issue with a Jan. 15 rule that required them to be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus when entering Canada. The United States has the same requirement, so removing the Canadian-side portion wouldn’t realistically do much, but protesters argued that it’s more about pushing back on government mandates and having their voices heard.
“Our current government is implementing rules and mandates that are destroying the foundation of our businesses, industries and livelihoods,” the convoy’s GoFundMe page said. “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.”
On Monday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that he and two of his children had tested positive for COVID-19.
Trudeau, who has been vaccinated and received a booster shot, denounced the anti-vaccine protests taking place in his country’s capital of Ottawa, calling it “an insult to memory and truth.” He also cited reports of violence and other bad behavior before issuing a stern warning.
“I want to be clear: We are not intimated by those who hurl insults and abuse at small businesses and steal from the homeless,” he said on Monday. “We won’t give in [to] those who fly racist flags. We won’t cave to those who engage in vandalism or dishonor the memory of our veterans.”
Canada has one of the world’s highest rates of vaccination against the coronavirus, but protesters, fed up with coronavirus restrictions, have called for a reversal as well as the removal of Trudeau from office.
MAN WITH CONFEDERATE FLAG TOLD TO LEAVE BY OTTAWA TRUCKERS: ‘WE CALLED HIM OUT’
Demonstrators have gotten support from conservative lawmakers on both sides of the border.
Erin O’Toole, Canada’s Conservative Party leader, met with some of the truckers, while others in the party braved frigid temperatures to serve them hot coffee.
In the U.S., former President Donald Trump signaled his support on Saturday during a rally in Texas. He praised protesters for “resisting bravely these lawless mandates.”
Tesla founder Elon Musk also threw his support behind the anti-vaccine truckers, tweeting that “Canadian truckers rule” and “freedom is being stripped away one piece at a time until it is gone.”
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On Sunday, he tweeted a photo of freight vehicles creating gridlock on a highway.
“Taking a break from politics for a while. Here’s a nice photo of trucks,” he tweeted.
