This morning, GoFundMe first notified me that they were sending me the remaining $600 of the $3300 in donations I had received; they had canceled the rest and refunded the donors. Then they canceled that payout and sent me this:
It seems you’re using WePay for one or more of the activities prohibited by our Terms of Service. Unfortunately, you can’t use WePay to accept additional payments. Any pending payments will be canceled and you won’t be able to withdraw funds at this time.
More specifically:
WePay is unable to process payments related to Hate, violence, racial intolerance, terrorism, the financial exploitation of a crime, or items or activities that encourage, promote, facilitate, or instruct others regarding the same.
Thank you for understanding and we apologize that we couldn’t offer a better solution.
Sincerely,
WePay Team
There was, of course, no further explanation.
It’s very clear what’s going on. The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) claims that I am a “hate group leader,” and that’s that. The SPLC’s infallibility in such matters is taken for granted by all these social media giants, despite its massive admission of error in the Maajid Nawaz case, and its obvious far-Left political agenda in lumping legitimate groups in with the likes of the KKK and neo-Nazis in order to discredit and destroy them.
But GoFundMe, like Patreon and MasterCard, allow no appeal, no discussion, no questioning of the SPLC’s fiat. And of course, it isn’t just the SPLC; it is now taken for granted by large segments of the American population, and by innumerable people elsewhere, that to oppose jihad mass murder of innocent civilians and Sharia oppression of women, gays, and others is “hate,” or as GoFundMe puts it, “Hate” with a capital H. I remember how flabbergasted I was in 2003 when I was on MSNBC with Keith Olbermann and Ibrahim Hooper of Hamas-linked CAIR, and Hooper called me a “hatemonger.” I thought, “It’s ‘hate’ to oppose jihad terror? That will never fly.”
But it has. And the outcome will be that more and more people will be afraid to oppose jihad terror and Sharia oppression, for fear of incurring these charges, and this discrimination and libel.
I’m going to be doing what I can to challenge GoFundMe’s uncritical acceptance of the SPLC’s smear of me, and the likely same uncritical acceptance by MasterCard/Patreon. But the SPLC has hundreds of millions of dollars and I don’t. And many who don’t realize how vulnerable they are will applaud what is happening to me because they don’t realize or believe how easily the same tactics can and will be turned on them. But they will be.
I did ask GoFundMe why they had done this, and I got this back:
Vanessa
Aug 22, 9:20 AM PDT
@GFMThis account has been refunded and blacklisted with the following message: WePay is unable to process payments related to Hate, violence, racial intolerance, terrorism, the financial exploitation of a crime, or items or activities that encourage, promote, facilitate, or instruct others regarding the same.
WePay | Trust & Safety
More questions? Check out our Help Center
https://support.wepay.com
So I wrote this back to Vanessa:
But I don’t do any of those things. On what grounds are you accusing me of this? I don’t spread hate or encourage violence or intolerance or terrorism, etc. I don’t do any of these things. On what basis are you claiming that I do?
I don’t expect an answer to that.
Zoro says
Hey Mr. Spencer could you please post your video with Keith? I like the man but he’s very, VERY naive about Islam so I’m flabbergasted he’d allow an actual expert (and not some liar) on Islam on his show.
Any chance you could post the video?
SJ says
They banned Horowitz and also used VISA AND MASTERCARD!
Just must say this….WHEN A NEW PRESIDENT OR DEMOCRAT takes a form of HIGH OFFICE, I WILL BE ONE MAKING THE SAME UGLY THREATS AS PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS HAD TO DEAL WITH.
AS FOR THE scummy Hollywood actors, musicians and sports people – THEY THINK TRUMPS WILL BE IN OFFICE FOR THEIR ENTIRE CAREER? Well they WILL FEEL THE PINCH FROM ME AND ALL THE OTHERS! Bastards….
StellaSaidSo says
Them’s fightin’ words, SJ!
But there’s a lot to be said for ‘what goes around comes around’. Should the Demon-rats ever win the WH again, they might wish they hadn’t. Because they won’t have won it honestly.
Islam_Is_Islam says
Stella: You probably know this already. The left does not care about honesty or truth. For them the end–control and power–justifies the means. As with Islam, the left uses whatever it takes to conquer since to conquer is the goal.
StellaSaidSo says
Yes, Islam_ Is_ Islam, I do know that already. Both Islam and the Left want to impose totalitarian control. Neither is interested in truth, only power. That’s why they’re working together.
David Stephenson says
I sent GoFundMe a message yesterday asking why they had terminated your account, Mr. Spencer, and stated I did not appreciate their groundless tactics against you. I have not received any reply either.
This morning I am engaged in a back and forth conversation with a longtime friend who is using the SPLC gossip smear as the basis for telling me that my reading of David Horowitz articles is on par with being a follower of Dylan Roof.
It is very frustrating that people are unable or unwilling to question authority and critically analyze things for themselves anymore. I do not have high hopes for our future.
Richard says
Quite frankly, the list of things they outlaw you showed above would outlaw every single news channel or talk show. on television, radio or the internet. Warning the U.S. public about Hitler in the 1930s would also be accounted racist. By the way, has anybody noticed these internet enemies or racism are increasingly attacking the Jews?
StellaSaidSo says
Yes, certainly, to the extent that supporters of Hezbollah and Hamas and the so-called ‘Palestinians’ are openly encouraged. As far as I am aware, no Islamic hate preachers have been censored.
And while Robert has been dumped from GoFundMe for telling the truth about Islam, Cohen’s lawyer just opened an account to raise funds to finance the propagation of more lies about Trump.
Norger says
Completely agree with you. If you read the explanation on the SPLC’s website as to why Spencer is blacklisted, it’s borderline comical. Among other things, they present a number of quotes from Spencer, all of which are demonstrably true, as self evidently false.
Spencer was banned from the U.K. for saying that the ultimate goal of Islam is to impose a societal model that is absolutely incompatible with Western civilization, a statement which is demonstrably true. And now the SPLC et al holds up the fact that he was banned from the UK as “proof” that he’s a bigot.
The real reason Spencer is blacklisted is because he’s highly knowledgeable and effective. The SPLC et al like to pretend that it’s beneath them to engage in any substantive dialogue with Spencer about Islam, when they know what would really happen is that their own considerable ignorance and naivite would be exposed.
How ironic that the SPLC is being used by an ideology that is diametrically opposed to everything the SPLC claims to stand for.
Andy says
Mr. Spencer on info wars with Alex Jones, open and go to bottom of the page for interview.
https://www.infowars.com/50000-muslims-flood-football-stadium-to-celebrate-festival-of-sacrifice/
Andy says
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7FjKt0OrQs
Andy says
I’m waiting for my copy of The History of Jihad book to arrive and have been telling everyone I know to buy a copy to support the cause.
Dan says
Same here.
Been putting it off cause I’m way backed up on my reading but…
If they’re going to hose Mr. Spenser, he’s at least got my $$s to support.
This is just freaking crazy how things are so twisted around.
Andy says
+1
Andy says
A Friend of mine sent me this link, I thought everyone on JW would get a kick out of it. Especially If your Canadian but it can go for any freedom loving Western Judeo-Christian Civilized Country.person.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=7HwFne_IfeY
Andy says
Poll: Canadian support for immigration hits record low
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJLtjwv0Hnc
FYI says
I dunno..That “I am Canadian video” of yours?
Well ….it might be offensive to the Zeezee people from Zeezeezeeistan who worship the god Zee and who can only pronouce words with a Zee,not a Zed.
Why, a leftard or an SPLC clansman might be feeling terribly offended on behalf of the Zeezee people:complaining about “illegal”,racist,Zeezeephobia on JW.They might even ring their bankerr friends to complain.
we must be “culturally sensitive” to others{sarc} otherwise the SPLC and the leftards and the virtue-signalling snowflakes and social justice warriors will be upset.
Andy says
Trump Declares War On Social Media Censorship!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxMqjkKX7Ss
StellaSaidSo says
An excellent clip of RS & AJ, Andy, thanks for posting.
Alex may be OTT sometimes, but he’s right more often than not. And you can’t say that about MSM.
Andy says
+1
Laurence Jarvik says
Come on, get David Horowitz to get you a lawyer! Or, ask your readers to suggest lawyers…there’s someone out there who’ll work on contingency, I bet…
Russell George says
Another leftist despicable decision, Islam murderers thousands each year but for you all that’s OK and we should all just shut up about it!
RonaldB says
I think once these “innovative” companies, such as GoFundMe and Patreon, become big enough that their founders are billionaires, they lose interest in the individual customer, offload the customer support to a phone center in inner Bangladesh, and above all, look to avoid controversies that might interfere with their next lucrative contract in Germany or Scotland. So, their natural inclination is to avoid any whiff of controversy though the passive-aggressive tact of simply not answering questions or engaging in any meaningful discussion of their actions.
If they somehow get called in front of a Congressional hearing, they say that of course they’re not censoring a point of view, but they have so many questionable cases, they have to automate the decision making, and they’re reprogramming their software to avoid the mistakes in the future that got them pulled in front of a congressional committee.
The question is, is the centralization of services, such as Google or Amazon, a natural consequence of technology advancement, such as the structure of the internet, or is it a result of the structuring of government laws and regulations subtly encouraging centralization and discouraging competition?
My own thinking is that the US ought to enact legislation mandating that a company is either US or foreign. It will not be allowed to be registered as a US company with subsidies outside the US, or visa-versa. A company registered outside the US will not have the privileges of US citizenship and will be treated as a foreign company. It doesn’t mean they won’t do business outside the US, but they will be operating under the laws pertaining to foreign companies.
I think mechanisms like this will remove the relentless drive for globalization and internationalization of companies that causes them to treat the US tradition of freedom as simply another quaint custom. If they’re firmly and legally a US company, including US officers who are not allowed to be dual nationals, they might think twice about trashing the traditions and liberties that made the US great.
Ashley says
Wow, Robert! Just wow!
I would NEVER patronize or contribute comments to this site if I detected even a subtle whiff of “hate, violence, racial intolerance, terrorism, the financial exploitation of a crime, or items or activities that encourage, promote, facilitate, or instruct others regarding the same.”
Nearly all content you present here has been previously reported elsewhere. You ALWAYS cite your source. How the f**k can you be portrayed as a “hate-monger” for the *crime* of reporting factual headlines previously reported? It makes NO sense!
Tears are welling up in my eyes as I write this. My husband is terminally ill and our finances are shot to hell due to medical expenses. I cannot afford to donate financially BUT I did request a copy of “The History of Jihad” from my brother as my early Christmas gift.
My brother asked me to provide the VERY best source to order so YOU get the bang of the buck. I don’t do Amazon, but will if that is the only route to go.
All the best to you, Robert. I don’t know how you do it.
You are my hero, and I wish I was a money tree right now…:(
Karen says
Such a good point, Ashley. I’ve never heard or read one iota of hate from Robert Spencer. He is always a gentleman, even to his debate opponents and detractors.
My very best wishes and prayers to you and your family.
gravenimage says
+1
Nabi says
Frankly, there’s blind prejudice and then logical prejudice without which you might not survive more than a couple of days or so. Dumb beyond belief that they refuse to see that they’re importing the world’s biggest and most violent racist bigots.
gravenimage says
So true.
Leon Degney says
Not only importing them but protecting them using the system against those speaking out against their ridiculous immigration.
Columba says
It may be time to sue SPLC for libel. They’ve already lost one such case.
Joe says
When Mastercard gives the SPLC teeth, they also make the SPLC liable for any financial harm. Since SPLC has “deep pockets” they make an attractive target.
eduardo odraude says
Sickening how businesses are killing freedom of speech. Will remember this about GoFundMe. Essentially, they have stolen thousands of dollars from Spencer.
Free speech laws are there precisely to protect speech that someone finds “offensive”. After all, speech that no one finds offensive needs no protection!
Westman says
I find this closing of the Left’s mind extremely dangerous as it fuels and gives legitimacy to violent leftist movements like Antifa. Each of these left-leaning organizations and financial institutions believe that their collective attitude is superior to constitutional law and, in effect, are sanctioning those who do not share their view.
The founding fathers wanted an unfettered economy and unfettered speech. The Left wants your speech and your wealth under their control – essentially what has proven multiple times to be a failure, heavy socialism and communism.
The Bill of Rights was more than protection for the individual; it was also a relief valve to avoid physical conflicts. Strangling the speech and economy of fellow citizens, essentially denying their rights, can only lead, ultimately, to violence against the oppressor. I have no desire to participate in such a sad event.
Only an inexperienced person is incapable of realizing the consequences of NGOs policing those who don’t share their view; policing opposing views that are protected by the US Constitution.
Rarely says
There is plenty of “Hate” and “racial intolerance” on this web site in the comments section. (Just see how much ‘Hate” I get from this post.)
BUT I have never seen that from Robert Spencer himself. Nor have I seen him promote or encourage any of the things listed in their “Terms of Service”.
However, GoFundMe would argue that this site, in light of the many intolerant and hateful comments, “facilitates” hate and racial intolerance by printing them. (I know…what “race” is islam anyway?). They may even argue that by pointing out the evils done in the name of islam, and sanctioned by islam (if not outright commanding them) as well as pointing out the writings of islam that are diametrically opposed to and in conflict with Western values, that the site ‘encourages” hatred and religious, not racial, intolerance. I guess that they would categorize this as an “anti-islam” website and by that alone is unentitled to their services.
In other words GoFundMe and the like REQUIRE tolerance of those who are themselves the most intolerant. Pretty sad.
Westman says
They don’t understand that tolerance is required under the US Constitution in order for all to have the guaranteed freedoms and rights.
What they are creating is a shadow government that denies rights and equal access to anyone and anything outside their socialist-communist groupthink. It seems beyond their comprehension that, by creating this precedent, they could someday be in a distinct minority where it is they who are oppressed.
sam says
This response is very unclear, am I to understand that you say that on JW are many are intolerant and racist, bigoted people? That a refusal of service is directly linked to that refusal? Many articles on this site and many readers have affirmed that Muslims, viz. CAIR and other ‘prominent” Muslims have a carte blanche to American institutions without being censored even though they publically and willfully foment division. The American society is egalitarian no matter your personal views, it is when you import your values that blow up people, promulgate the curtailment of their liberties , by planning a future utopian Islamic society in the name of democracy to oppress every individual eventual that it becomes a problem. Now, the debate and raison d’etre of this site and many similar sites are to disseminate the misinformation and suppression of certain sections of society and that Islam is often a common dominator
Rarely says
I wasn’t commenting on any of that. My comment was simply that there is a lot of hatred and bigotry in many of the comments and that perhaps, just perhaps, that gave GoFundMe justification in their minds to cut off funding through their site. In no way do I support their move.
RickyS says
Possibly they confused that “Alt-Right” guy RICHARD Spencer with ROBERT Spencer?
I believe Robert is an honest intellectual. I don’t know anything about Richard, except that he was in the headlines a while back. So I can’t say whether Richard violated the Terms of Service.
libertyORdeath says
How about members starting gofundme accounts for the protection of freedom of speech and then donating the money to Robert?
I know it’s not the easiest solution but it would be nice to use the platform against itself.
gravenimage says
GoFundMe falsely accuses Robert Spencer of violating Terms of Service, allows no appeal
……………………..
This just keeps getting worse and worse.
overman says
lt’s strange how Patreon has banned Robert when there seem to be hundreds of anti-lslam posters on youtube with Patreon links. l suppose they’re going after the Big Guns who are on the SPLC Hit-List.
l was watching Apostate Prophet today an ex-muslim, who l’d recommend (Has a Patreon link). He’s done a great video on the meaning behind Eid al-Adha – the pilgrimage to Mecca that millions of the walking-dead are performing atm.
l didn’t know a lot of this stuff, which is mostly Abrahamic it seems. Apparently, they accidentally kill a lot of their fellow muslims when throwing rocks at a large pillar, which represents satan.
A Sacrifice Special (Eid al-Adha)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38jGrvDAs7I
pumbar says
This ‘Vanessa’ character is a thug, a Jew hater and a hooligan, GoFundMe is, obviously, finished.
Greg says
This is both disturbing and ominous on so many levels. The fact that these financial institutions can arbitrarily marginalize whomever they choose for political reasons, and do so with impunity, is going to become the norm folks! We are well on our way to the realization of a political/religious economic system that will only accept those with whom they are in agreement with. Revelation 13 is unfolding before our eyes and nobody has eyes to see it or even cares that it is now before us. I think we can all agree who the false Prophet is. The Beast ( ISIS ? ) will soon be revealed for those that have the wisdom to see what is happening.
Ren says
GoFundMe, the liberal leftist bastard.
TassieR says
Seems, GoFundMe prefers to deal only with really hateful Americans, like, say, Strzok.
StellaSaidSo says
And now Cohen. And no doubt John Brennan too, when the tantrum finally stops.
Always On Watch says
Here we go….silencing the voices who tell the truth about Islam.
Actually, I’ve been expecting these things to happen. Islamophilic people cannot allow the truth to stand.
Olli Hekkala says
Someone should establish charity for persecuted online figures.
jimbo says
Robert, I’d be glad to write them a letter on your behalf. Where and to who should I send it?
Etan Ben-Ami says
If you list a postal service address for contributions, I would be happy to toss a $20 bill in an envelope and send it to you. I cut my Mastercard in half. I won’t use Patreon or GoFundMe, and my PayPal use is restricted to business. It’s time to vote with our cash and refuse to use services that are truly spreading hate.
Derek Peterson says
We will be happy to help you create a campaign on oneway.com. Email support@oneway.com and we will be happy to help in any way we can.
Robert Spencer says
If this is on the level, please contact me at director@jihadwatch.org. Many thanks.
Derek Peterson says
Yes. On the level. Be happy to help in any way I can. I love this site! I just sent you an email.
David, Thailand says
Sue the SDLP, they paid ‘former’ jihadist Maajid Nawas $3m for saying unkind words about him, which makes Robert’s serial victimisation worth several times that amount.
David, Thailand says
Make that SPLC.