In a fitting end to their misadventures, the organizers of the neo-Confederate rally today reached out to supporters for donations via GoFundMe, raising $220 from two individuals before deleting the campaign. The group used social media throughout the days leading up to the rally to advertise sales on Confederacy memorabilia which they were selling from the back of their pickup truck.
An early screenshot of the GoFundMe post
The funding request came shortly after a confusing Facebook live video by co-organizer Tara Brandau claiming that they were being chased by a swarm of attackers as they drove away – a narration informing viewers that their tires are flat. However, when they stop the truck, the camera shows what appeared to be two people on commuter bicycles and several police officers in a peaceful, non-threatening situation.
A previous video documented their departure from the rally site as several calm police led them out. Brandau called their exit an ‘extraction.’ When the small group reaches their pickup truck, they state that the tires are slashed before starting the engine to leave.
Richmond residents were not amused by their fundraising request. RVA Mag has collected some of the best of the now 145 responses before they were deleted:
Shortly before posting this story, the group deleted many social media posts, including the GoFundMe campaign and previously-mentioned videos. They also deleted a dubious post claiming that Black Lives Matter had tracked them and surrounded them at their lodgings; in another, that shots were fired by counter-protesters, despite police statements to the contrary.
*Feature image originally on GoFundMe post of Tara Brandau
