Dems help reopen a NC Repub office
NOTE: We reached our goal and then some in less than 40 minutes after we went public with this campaign. We stopped accepting donations then because our aim is to fund re-opening the bombed-out office, and we decided that we had gathered a reasonable amount for that purpose.
There are many worth causes, partisan and non-partisan. For example, might we suggest contributing to a North Carolina classroom through DonorsChoose ?
Here's the original campaign description,
DESCRIPTION
On October 16, a North Carolina headquarters of the Republican Party was firebombed , and an abhorrent threat was painted on its outside wall
As Democrats, we are starting this campaign to enable the Orange County, North Carolina Republican office to re-open as soon as possible.
Until an investigation is undertaken, we cannot know who did this or why. No matter the result, this is not how Americans resolve their differences. We talk, we argue, sometimes we march, and most of all we vote. We do not resort to violence by individuals or by mobs.
So, let's all pitch in , no matter what your party affiliation, in and get that office open again quickly.
More Info
Here's some additional information that GoFundMe likes to see expressed:
My name is David Weinberger. (There's more about me here and here.) My name is on this campaign, but it's actually the work of several people:
Dan Gillmor
Jeff Jarvis
Clay Shirky
Joe Trippi
Zeynep Tufekci
All of us are long-time Internet students and do-ers. We're also all either Democrats, or independents who are leaning that way in this cycle.
We put this campaign together quickly after talking about an idea that Zeynep tweeted . The idea evolved to the point where a GFM campaign made sense. I initiated it.
Our aim is, as stated, to help fund the re-opening of the bombed-out office. We do not want any of the funds gathered to be used for other political activities. We are currently talking with officials of Orange County and hope soon to be talking with the local GOP leaders to figure out how to provide this funding in a way that meets the election laws (which are complex) and that accomplishes the campaign's stated goal of re-opening the office. If there's no legal, practical way to put all of the money to that use, we will find a strictly non-partisan way of using it, and will let the donors know so that they can participate in the decision.
Thanks for your support in standing up for democracy, even when we disagree (sometimes quite fundamenally) with the policies of some of the participants.
+ Read More
There are many worth causes, partisan and non-partisan. For example, might we suggest contributing to a North Carolina classroom through DonorsChoose ?
Here's the original campaign description,
DESCRIPTION
On October 16, a North Carolina headquarters of the Republican Party was firebombed , and an abhorrent threat was painted on its outside wall
As Democrats, we are starting this campaign to enable the Orange County, North Carolina Republican office to re-open as soon as possible.
Until an investigation is undertaken, we cannot know who did this or why. No matter the result, this is not how Americans resolve their differences. We talk, we argue, sometimes we march, and most of all we vote. We do not resort to violence by individuals or by mobs.
So, let's all pitch in , no matter what your party affiliation, in and get that office open again quickly.
More Info
Here's some additional information that GoFundMe likes to see expressed:
My name is David Weinberger. (There's more about me here and here.) My name is on this campaign, but it's actually the work of several people:
Dan Gillmor
Jeff Jarvis
Clay Shirky
Joe Trippi
Zeynep Tufekci
All of us are long-time Internet students and do-ers. We're also all either Democrats, or independents who are leaning that way in this cycle.
We put this campaign together quickly after talking about an idea that Zeynep tweeted . The idea evolved to the point where a GFM campaign made sense. I initiated it.
Our aim is, as stated, to help fund the re-opening of the bombed-out office. We do not want any of the funds gathered to be used for other political activities. We are currently talking with officials of Orange County and hope soon to be talking with the local GOP leaders to figure out how to provide this funding in a way that meets the election laws (which are complex) and that accomplishes the campaign's stated goal of re-opening the office. If there's no legal, practical way to put all of the money to that use, we will find a strictly non-partisan way of using it, and will let the donors know so that they can participate in the decision.
Thanks for your support in standing up for democracy, even when we disagree (sometimes quite fundamenally) with the policies of some of the participants.
Dear Donors,
In October, 2016, you made a donation to a GoFundMe campaign to try to undo the effect on our democracy of the firebombing of a Republican headquarters in Orange County, North Carolina. Now, at long last, the NC Board of Elections has cleared us to transfer the funds, and the money has been donated.
This has been a long road. We could not make the donation, and the GOP could not accept it, until the appropriate legal structure had been established: a “building fund” that can only be used for brick-and-mortar projects, and not for any campaign activity — perfectly in keeping with the fact that your donations were solicited to undo the damage to the Orange County GOP’s brick-and-mortar headquarters.
Everyone without exception in this process has been cordial and appreciative. The Board of Elections simply had other issues on their plate in the wake of this election. Our pro bono lawyer, Tyler Brooks, has been persistent and tireless in his efforts. Laura, the support person at GoFundMe, has been helpful, patient, and truly kind throughout this long, complex process.
Upon hearing that the donation had been accomplished, Waddy Davis, chairman of the Orange County GOP, asked me to express his heartfelt thanks to all of you. “We have been overwhelmed with the generosity shown,” he wrote in an email. ”It lifted our spirits and showed the light in the world. We sincerely thank you." I met him in Boston shortly after he sent that email and found him to be genuinely moved by your expression of support for our shared democratic principles. (He is, by the way, a moderate Republican who tries to find common ground with the Democrats in his distinctly blue county.)
Your efforts have made a difference. The project received overwhelmingly positive coverage in the media, calling attention to the bedrock principles of our American democracy. It also reminded people that Democrats and independents understand what true patriotism is.
We have also received our share of criticism. I personally have most valued the criticism born of the pain of those who bear the brunt of the NC State GOP efforts to suppress the vote and to deny the rights of our LGBTQ sisters and brothers. This project has always been about affirming core democratic values even in — especially in — times when our nation is profoundly divided. It has always been about defeating our political opponents through democratic means, not by firebombs and violence.
So, with your act of civility, generosity, and patriotism now accomplished, I hope we will all continue to work hard on achieving our political goals ... goals more important now than ever.
Thank you so much for your donation, for your commitment to the deep principles of democracy, and for your patience. I'm leaving this open for everyone involved to look back on.
In October, 2016, you made a donation to a GoFundMe campaign to try to undo the effect on our democracy of the firebombing of a Republican headquarters in Orange County, North Carolina. Now, at long last, the NC Board of Elections has cleared us to transfer the funds, and the money has been donated.
This has been a long road. We could not make the donation, and the GOP could not accept it, until the appropriate legal structure had been established: a “building fund” that can only be used for brick-and-mortar projects, and not for any campaign activity — perfectly in keeping with the fact that your donations were solicited to undo the damage to the Orange County GOP’s brick-and-mortar headquarters.
Everyone without exception in this process has been cordial and appreciative. The Board of Elections simply had other issues on their plate in the wake of this election. Our pro bono lawyer, Tyler Brooks, has been persistent and tireless in his efforts. Laura, the support person at GoFundMe, has been helpful, patient, and truly kind throughout this long, complex process.
Upon hearing that the donation had been accomplished, Waddy Davis, chairman of the Orange County GOP, asked me to express his heartfelt thanks to all of you. “We have been overwhelmed with the generosity shown,” he wrote in an email. ”It lifted our spirits and showed the light in the world. We sincerely thank you." I met him in Boston shortly after he sent that email and found him to be genuinely moved by your expression of support for our shared democratic principles. (He is, by the way, a moderate Republican who tries to find common ground with the Democrats in his distinctly blue county.)
Your efforts have made a difference. The project received overwhelmingly positive coverage in the media, calling attention to the bedrock principles of our American democracy. It also reminded people that Democrats and independents understand what true patriotism is.
We have also received our share of criticism. I personally have most valued the criticism born of the pain of those who bear the brunt of the NC State GOP efforts to suppress the vote and to deny the rights of our LGBTQ sisters and brothers. This project has always been about affirming core democratic values even in — especially in — times when our nation is profoundly divided. It has always been about defeating our political opponents through democratic means, not by firebombs and violence.
So, with your act of civility, generosity, and patriotism now accomplished, I hope we will all continue to work hard on achieving our political goals ... goals more important now than ever.
Thank you so much for your donation, for your commitment to the deep principles of democracy, and for your patience. I'm leaving this open for everyone involved to look back on.
Zeemie, This is not an official effort of the Democratic Party. It is the effort of a half dozen Democrats (of which I am one). This is a moment for graciousness, not fractiousness.
I came to donate and you already met your target. One democrat to another, this makes me feel proud!
It is amazing to me that you folks are trying to do a good thing here, a healing thing, and a very righteous thing, and some people are questioning your motives. Amazing. Thank YOU, from a very conservative leaning independent. Thank you and shame on the nay sayers!
I absolutely agree with this effort. Republican, Democrat, Independent, Green Party, Libertarian, or other -- we are all AMERICANS.
@Zeemie Burns You have it completely wrong. Did you even read what's going on here? It was started to give Democrats a chance to "go high" and show others we aren't wallowing in the mud some are throwing out. This is a worthy cause. I donated, and am glad to have done so.
For the people helping, this isn't about political affiliation. It's about people helping people because that is what America's about. It's what we've always been about.
You guys are a class act.
Are folks really blaming Hillary for this? This is a really great, shining moment of compassion and consideration to repair what was lost during a awful event, and people will still find a way to avoid the thoughtfulness of many to focus on a person that had nothing to do with it. My god.
Bravo, folks — I'm sorry I missed the cutoff for donations. This is exactly the necessary and appropriate response. It reminds me of Billings, MT's response to antisemitic vandalism in 1993: http://www.religioustolerance.org/menorah.htm
This is a very kind and compassionate response. Very pleased to see this.♥
Happy to contribute if the limit was raised. I'm a lifelong Democrat who reviles violence and believes in fair play. Hope that the people who did this are brought to justice.
A word in response to the people who think it's crazy for Democrats do do anything that helps the Republicans in any way. You're being much too shortsighted. Although this helps rebuild the GOP headquarters, what's more important is that it's a way of OPPOSING Trump and his GOP allies. It's a rebuke to Trump's conspiratorial ravings, and his attempt to undermine the democratic process. It shows, more powerfully than words alone could, that we regard political violence as beyond the pale -- regardless of who commits it. The firebombing plays into Trump's narrative, and those of us who made donations are doing our little bit to chip away at that narrative. That's going to be important if it turns out that the attack was perpetrated by someone who opposes Trump. And maybe, just maybe, this fundraiser will help lead some Trump supporter somewhere, or someone who's leaning toward Trump but is still on the fence, to give some thought to whether Trump is really the right choice.
This is a great idea. Let's help them out. Who knows who did this? It's probably some restless teens with nothing to do, who could not care about Dem or Rep politics. Anyone claiming to know it was a inside job is full of........SUGAR!
So...you're helping to rebuild the fully-insured office of an organization that advocates for the oppression of LGBT people and the suppression of voting rights for African American people? This fundraiser makes you complicit in their inhumanity...it isn't "going high" when you're aiding a group that's oppressing people. This isn't about party politics, it's about basic human rights...something that the people in this office (in the state that passed HB2, remember) know nothing about.
This is incredible! I logged on to donate and it's already been closed!! I am so proud of my community. SO PROUD. Regardless of who is responsible, we will not stand for this kind of violence and intimidation. Enough. ENOUGH. Despite the forces that attempt to divide us, we must stand united. When they go low, we go high ❤️ So proud to be a tarheel tonight
Bravo Mr. Weinberger for your action.
I used up all my disposable income to help rebuild that Pinochet statue that was knocked down after the referendum in my attempt to build good will with the fascist despot crowd.
Zeemie Burns, you are the exact reason this democrat won't donate to this. I came here to donate but after reading your smart ass comment I decided not to. This is a place individual people came, out of the goodness of their hearts, because they feel bad about what happened. The DNC has nothing to do with it.
I lean more towards the conservative side, but want to say that I feel everyone involved in this fundraiser is a class act. Thank you for showing everyone that, regardless of political affiliations, we are all Americans and we take care of each other.
Be honest, Zimmie. You say you no longer support Hillary because of "this kind of 'budgeting.'" You NEVER supported her in the first place. This is about being an American, not a member of a political party.