A Minnesota fund established to help bail out violent and non-violent demonstrators participating in the George Floyd protests is in hot water over the lack of transparency about spending its funds.
The fund
“Appreciate all those calling for transparency,” the Minnesota Freedom Fund (MFF) tweeted Monday. “We see y’all. Our values and mission have not changed since 2016. Be on the lookout for things coming on our end. Be well.”
Protesters, social justice activists, and numerous celebrities — including Justin Timberlake, Seth Rogen, Steve Carell, Jamie Foxx, and Ariana Grande, just to name a few — have generously donated to the fund, helping raise well over $30 million since Floyd’s death on May 25 to help bail out and cover other legal expenses for those arrested during the protests.
But the fund said it has spent about $200,000 in the past few weeks to help protesters caught in legal trouble.
“Without jeopardizing the safety of the folks we bailed out we paid well over $200k in the weeks since the uprising alone. We are working on doing more,” the MFF wrote in a separate tweet.
Without jeopardizing the safety of the folks we bailed out we paid well over $200k in the weeks since the uprising alone. We are working on doing more.
— Minnesota Freedom Fund (@MNFreedomFund) June 16, 2020
Many on social media called out the fund for spending so little to help detained protesters, and “35 MILLION” and “only 200k” soon started trending on Twitter,” according to Newsweek.
Exactly how much the MFF has raised since it was set up is not clear, but according to the Frequently Asked Questions section on the group’s website, it has raked in more than $30 million.
“We know that many people have donated to us to support those protesting George Floyd’s murder and generations of police violence. We will prioritize posting bail for those arrested demanding justice for George Floyd,” MFF wrote on its website.
“And we’re working in partnership with legal aid organizations to get anyone with a cash bail who was arrested protesting for George Floyd out as quickly as possible,” it added.
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Reactions
However, the MFF got roundly criticized online for not spending more money to bail out protesters.
Roxane Gay responded to MFF with a since-deleted tweet, writing: “This is pretty pithy for an organization with $35 million, like you’re just talking to your little friends. Get thee a crisis communication expert ASAP.”
Activist Tariq Nasheed wrote: “This white run organization allegedly collected $35 million, and only used $200k to actually bail out protesters. Those of us in the real Black grassroots have been getting folks out of jail on our own. This is why we have to stop the coopt.”
This white run organization allegedly collected $35 million, and only used $200k to actually bail out protesters.
Those of us in the real Black grassroots have been getting folks out of jail on our own.
This is why we have to stop the coopt#NoAntiBlackRacism https://t.co/UPOxDaCI4O
— Tariq Nasheed 🇺🇸 (@tariqnasheed) June 16, 2020
$200K is such a small portion of the 35 million donated. One thing you don't play with is folk's money. Better give that shxt back before Black Twitter wakes up pic.twitter.com/jkfuUIMeJX
— Joey ☝🏾 (@JoeySmith511) June 16, 2020
Some, however, defended the MFF, claiming it was having difficulties managing its funds.
“I feel like everyone yelling at the minnesota freedom fund for only using 200k so far of the 35 MILLION dollars it raised doesnt understand how hard it is to efficiently spend, manage, and account for that kind of money when youre clearly not set up to work on that scale,” one user wrote.
i feel like everyone yelling at the minnesota freedom fund for only using 200k so far of the 35 MILLION dollars it raised doesnt understand how hard it is to efficiently spend, manage, and account for that kind of money when youre clearly not set up to work on that scale
— kathbarbadoro (@kathbarbadoro) June 16, 2020
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If you raised 35 million and used $200,000 dollars on bailouts, how about using the remainder of the 35 million to bail out those who lost everything in the riots and help rebuild the city. Why Bragg about $200,000. Rebuild the city, Mr. David Dorns family deserves a bail out.