Supporters Raise Over $230,000 for Who Shot Michael Brown
While protesters continue to fight for justice for Mike Brown, the unarmed African-American teenager who was shot by a white police office in Ferguson, Missouri, others have raised over $230,000 for his killer.
Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson, 28, shot and killed Brown, 18, on Aug. 9 during some sort of confrontation. Wilson says that Brown reached for his gun, but several eye witnesses say the teen was shot execution style while he was trying to surrender.
For nearly two weeks, protesters have been rallying against police brutality in a string of daily demonstrations. In the meantime, supporters backing Wilson have raised over $230,000 on the crowdfunding site GoFundMe.com
A woman by the name of Allison Wilson created the campaign page to raise $235,000 for Wilson and his family on Aug. 17. So far, over almost 6,000 people have made donations.
The description on the GoFundMe page says it was "created to support Officer Darren Wilson of the Ferguson Police Department. We stand behind Officer Darren Wilson and his family during this trying time in their lives. All proceeds will be sent directly to Darren Wilson and his family for any financial needs they may have including legal fees."
Most donations ranged from $5 to $50, while others have contributed larger amounts.
In addition to the donations, a number of donors have also left incendiary and racist comments on the page.
"Better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6," wrote one donor, according to the Washington Post.
"I know a lynch mob when I see one. They have nothing to do with justice. And I believe in justice, for everyone," some wrote.
Another person said, "Fight the good fight for the good cops. While some police may be corrupt, we must ensure to lift up and support the good ones who care about the community and protect the lives of innocent people who are too scared to stand up for themselves against the violent hip-hop thug culture."
Other comments included, "It is disgusting to realize that you are being condemned for doing your job and having to protect yourself from an obvious criminal"; "Thank you for putting that feral ape down so it couldn't attack any more people."
A GoFundMe page has also been set up for the family of Michael Brown, which has raised over $166,000 in eight days.
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