[RT] Activists groups seeking funds to help for relief from Hurricane Harvey are coming under fire for alleged exploitation. One such group, the Texas Organizing Project is being singled out for raising funds to benefit labor unions.This is besides the bad guys with guns.
In a post on social media calling for donations, the Texas Organizing Project stated that all donations “will only be used to organize in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.”
The statement drew criticism that the group was a front for big labor and the funds would support organizing the efforts of unions such as SEIU 1199, AFL-CIO, and the American Federation of Teachers, and not hurricane victims.
“So you are scamming kind-hearted people out of money making them believe that you are going to help Harvey victims, is that it? Harvey victims need help now with the very basics of life, not political activists making money off their horrible situation! You should be ashamed of yourselves. As a Texan myself, I cannot believe how wrong-minded your solicitation for donations is,” charged one.
Another opined “All donations made here will only be used ‘to organize in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.’ So none of the money will actually be given to hurricane victims. Good to know.”
A repost of the fund link on Twitter by political activist, Linda Sarsour, generated over 1,000 comments criticizing the goal of the fund.
With one tweet “Grifting money away from hurricane victims is about as low as someone can get.”
Another opined “@Twitter @TwitterSupport these relief funds are being funneled towards a political PAC and not towards victims .... do something pls”
Others took to Twitter to blast the relief efforts. Sarsour then tweeted that the ‘alt-right’ must have sent out an email blast.
Later she tweeted a list of organizations of where to send donations.
Calls to the Texas Organizing Project to ask about the fund and its beneficiaries as well as to SEIU 1199 were not returned.