At least eight groups involved in the rally that led to the storming of the US Capitol ‘this month are fundraising via Amazon and Paypal, openDemocracy can reveal.
openDemocracy research found that six of the rally’s “coalition partners” are still using either Amazon or PayPal to raise money – along with two other groups whose leaders were present at the Capitol. Following the riot, some of these organisations released statements that seemed to justify the attack on the Capitol.
Both companies have policies that prohibit groups from using their platforms if they are involved in promoting violence or hate. Civil rights advocates said the tech platforms must take action – and that their policies have not meant enough in practice for too long.
Amazon, along with other tech firms, has announced plans to halt campaign contributions to lawmakers that voted against certification of the Electoral College results. Online platforms have also taken action against some groups and individuals involved in the day’s events.
Jade Magnus Ogunnaike, senior campaigns director at the civil rights group Color Of Change, said openDemocracy’s findings are “deeply troubling”, though unsurprising.
“Amazon and PayPal must not only sever all remaining ties to hate groups and white supremacists but also take proactive steps to ensure they’re not enabling them in the first place,” Ogunnaike said.
These are interactive visualizations of the 647 individuals involved in the January 6th Insurrection, including the extremists groups, military veterans, law enforcement officers, and other right-wing activists.
