Several GoFundMe campaigns supporting Luigi Mangione, the alleged shooter of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, have been removed following a surge of online fundraisers. The campaigns gained attention as many expressed frustration with the healthcare system, often seen as profit-driven. One fundraiser's description praised Mangione, claiming he "risked everything to stand up to corporations destroying American lives."
However, GoFundMe's terms of service prohibit using the platform to fund legal defenses for violent crimes, including murder. As a result, the campaigns were taken down. Despite this, an alternative fundraising effort, a GiveSendGo page, has been created to support Mangione's legal fees, setting a goal of $50,000.
The GiveSendGo page's description states that it is a preemptive fundraising campaign for Luigi Mangione:
"This is a preemptive legal fundraiser for the suspect allegedly involved in the shooting of the United Healthcare CEO. We are not here to celebrate violence, but we do believe in the constitutional right of fair legal representation. Please share in your networks!"
The fundraiser emphasizes support for Mangione's right to fair legal representation, stressing that it does not condone violence but stands by the principle of due process under the law. The message clarifies that all funds raised will go directly to Luigi Mangione, unless he rejects the donations, in which case the money will be redirected to legal funds for other U.S. political prisoners.
"Efforts are underway to get in touch with him and his lawyers. All proceeds will be sent directly to Luigi or, if he chooses to reject the funds, they will instead be donated to legal funds for other U.S political prisoners."
The case has sparked significant online conversation, with the healthcare system’s perceived flaws fueling some of the public’s anger. This has led to a controversial response, with fundraising campaigns rising despite legal limitations on platforms like GoFundMe.
What has Luigi Mangione been charged with?
Luigi Mangione has been charged with five counts in Pennsylvania following his arrest at a McDonald's in Altoona. The charges include carrying firearms without a license, forgery, tampering with records or identification, possessing instruments of crime, and providing false identification to law enforcement.
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Authorities reportedly found him in possession of a gun, a ghost gun, a loaded magazine, and a large sum of cash, alongside a fake New Jersey driver’s license which he had used at a hotel right before shooting Brian Thompson.
Luigi belongs to the prominent Mangione family which is an influential real-estate family in Baltimore. He is also the cousin of Nino Mangione, a republican politician who is a member of the Maryland House of Delegates.
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