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Dear John,
Demand that PayPal pick a side, and cease all fundraisers to white supremacist causes!
PayPal is empowering white nationalists to raise money for Kyle Rittenhouse, the Kenosha shooter who killed two protestors at a rally for Jacob Blake. In the aftermath of the horrific murders he committed, Rittenhouse received an outpouring of support from people who see Black people as a threat. The #FightBack Foundation is actively using PayPal to process donations for Rittenhouse’s legal defense. The group’s mission states, “we are prepared to confront those who seek to take away the right of self-defense”. John, we all know in this context what self-defense means. Emboldened white nationalists justify and celebrate Rittenhouse’s violence. With access to raise money on PayPal, this group is doing just that!
These fundraisers are the lifeline for hate groups. It’s how they build power - to pay legal fees, book travel and accommodations, and recruit new members. Without these platforms, they are cut off from their donors. As long as PayPal willfully ignores how its platform is being used to fund hate, it is complicit in white supremacy and must be held accountable. We cannot allow PayPal to enable white nationalist groups and finance their hateful, white supremacist causes.
PayPal made a commitment to stop profiting from hate. In 2017, Color Of Change successfully fought to deplatform white nationalist hate groups from PayPal, American Express, Visa and MasterCard after finding that hate groups used these sites to collect over $20 million dollars in contributions, sales, and grants. PayPal was the default bank of the white supremacist movement because it was easier for groups to embed PayPal than credit card companies. PayPal enforced a policy change with staff resources to enforce that policy. But right now, PayPal is choosing to allow the #FightBack Foundation to translate their support for racist violence into donations for Rittenhouse.
We are 2 weeks away from the 2020 elections, and the white nationalists, who Trump told to “stand back and stand by,” are organizing and preparing to engage in violent attacks. Earlier this month, the FBI thwarted a white supremacist, Trump supporting group from kidnapping the governor of Michigan. These white nationalists anticipate prosecution for their terrorizing actions, so they crowdfund to afford lawyers that will defend their attacks. We don’t need another Kenosha to happen for us to recognize how dangerous and reckless these groups are. We can’t let PayPal play both sides - either PayPal is standing with white nationalists or against them.
SIGN THE PETITION: Demand that PayPal condemn white supremacy and cease ties with their causes!
Until justice is real,
—Jade, Rashad, Arisha, Johnny, Amanda, Evan, Imani, Marie, Samantha, Eesha, Marcus, FolaSade, Eesha, Jennette, Ciera, Gabrielle, Taurjhai, Stasia, and the rest of the Color Of Change team
Color Of Change is building a movement to elevate the voices of Black folks and our allies, and win real social and political change. Please help keep our movement strong.
