A Canadian man has been criminally charged after he drove an SUV through the Freedom Truckers protest of COVID-19 regulations on Friday evening.
Police in Winnipeg said the driver, who was not immediately named, use his Jeep Patriot to plow through the crowd for coronavirus mandate protesters at the Legislative grounds before fleeing the scene at high speeds.
The driver was eventually caught by police and arrested after a brief struggle, according to authorities.
‘A 42yr old male is facing charges after driving through a group of protesters that were part of the Freedom Convoy at the Legislative grounds,’ the Winnipeg Police tweeted Saturday.
‘Four adult males were struck.’
Video of the horrific incident has since circulated on social media, showing a group of protesters as several are struck by the Jeep, with many chasing the vehicle as it sped from the scene.
A 42-year-old male from Headingly, Manitoba, faces charges of four counts of assault with weapon, two counts of dangerous operation of a conveyance causing bodily harm, one count of dangerous operation of a conveyance, two counts of failure to stop after accident, and two counts of failure to stop at the scene of an accident.
The attack comes as GoFundMe reversed its decision not to redistribute millions of dollars to other charities and instead will refund donors who collectively gave $8 million USD to the cause, amid widespread backlash and a potential fraud investigation
SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO
One of four injured parties, pictured above, being struck by the Jeep SUV on Friday night during the Freedom Convoy at the Legislative grounds
Pictured: the white SUV, center, as it plows through the crowd of protesters on Friday night in Ottowa, injuring four people total
Video of the incident has since circulated on social media, showing a group of protesters as several are struck by the Jeep, with many chasing the vehicle as it sped from the scene
After the SUV crash, one person was taken to a nearby hospital before being released, while three others sustained only minor injures, which did not require medical attention.
The Freedom Truckers convoy began on January 23, and made its way to Canada’s capital in Ottawa on January 29. The convoy of demonstrators were there to protest COVID-19 mandates and regulations.
Now, GoFundMe has partially backtracked on a refusal to redistribute money to those who donated to the Freedom Truckers cause, and will now refund $8 million after facing backlash from the likes of Elon Musk and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who threatened a potential fraud investigation.
The website had initially froze the crowdfunding campaign as it approached nearly $10 million CAD, or $8 million USD, stating authorities had convinced the company that the convoy had recently become unlawful and violent.
A freedom supporter holds a sign in support of the truckers convoy on February 5, 2022 in Ottawa, Canada
A counter protester holds a sign as truckers and supporters protest against mandates and restrictions related to Covid-19 vaccines in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on February 5, 2022
Truckers refuel their trucks in the cold during the Freedom Convoy truck protest on February 5, 2022 in Ottawa, Canada
The company had additionally noted the convoys’ evolution from moving demonstration to stationary protest in Ottawa as another reason for terminating the campaign.
However, just hours later, GoFundMe reversed their decision after widespread criticism of the move, while backtracking on their claims of violence and noting that the protests have been peaceful.
‘GoFundMe supports peaceful protests and we believe that was the intention of the Freedom Convoy 2022 fundraiser when it was first created,’ GoFundMe announced.
‘We now have evidence from law enforcement that the previously peaceful demonstration has become an occupation, with police reports of violence and other unlawful activity.’
The fundraising website added that donors can expect to see refunds within seven to ten business days.
‘To simplify the process for our users, we will be refunding all donations to the Freedom Convoy 2022 fundraiser. This refund will happen automatically – you do not need to submit a request,’ the website tweeted.
DeSantis took aim at the website for refusing to return money donated by supporters of the Freedom Trucker convoy, saying he will work with Attorney General Ashley Moody to help donors get their money back.
‘It is a fraud for @GoFundMe to commandeer $9M in donations sent to support truckers and give it to causes of their own choosing. I will work with @AGAshleyMoody to investigate these deceptive practices — these donors should be given a refund.’
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton also applied pressure to the website, while stating on social media that he would similarly launch a fraud investigation of his own.
‘Patriotic Texans donated to Canadian truckers’ worthy cause using GoFundMe. This BLM-backing company went woke, froze the funds, & failed to deliver Texans’ money,’ Paxton wrote.
‘Today I assembled a team to investigate their potential fraud & deception. Texas donors will get Justice!’
Meanwhile, Tesla CEO Elon Musk questioned whether there is a ‘double-standard,’ and cited past fundraisers for legal funds in defense of the likes of Antifa members and other protesters who had broken the law while demonstrating.