Outspoken Muslim activist Linda Sarsour was excoriated on social media for putting out a tweet asking for donations for the victims of Hurricane Harvey. The ostensibly charitable act was undermined when people read the fine print to see where the donations went.
"Donate to the #Harvey Hurricane Relief Fund," she tweeted Tuesday.
Donate to the #Harvey Hurricane Relief Fund. https://t.co/nkFbwgGWDH— Linda Sarsour (@Linda Sarsour) 1503981773.0
Sarsour is known for being one of the organizers of the Woman's March against President Trump one day after his inauguration.
She was also criticized widely for calling for a "jihad" against Trump - she protested that she meant a personal struggle, not a violent religious attack, but many saw it as a dog whistle for violence against the president.
She inspired another controversy when she tweeted what sounded like a violent threat against Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Brigitte Gabriel, both critics of Islam. "She's asking 4 an a$$ whippin'," the deleted tweet read. "I wish I could take their vaginas away - they don't deserve to be women," she added.
Her critics pounced on her attempt to raise money for community organizing under the guise of Hurricane Harvey relief.
This is a political PAC not #Harvey relief. You're literally stealing money from these people.
— EducatédHillbilly™ (@RobProvince) August 30, 2017
The link went to a donation page for the "Texas Organizing Project Education Fund," and described their mission: "Together we will organize and advocate for our devastated communities, shining a spotlight on inequalities that emerge in the restoration of lives, livelihoods, and homes, amplifying the needs of hard-hit communities, and providing legal assistance for residents wrongfully denied government support."
The project is funded by the "Opens Society Foundation," which was founded by billionaire leftist George Soros.
The Texas Organizing Project Education Fund is a Houston-based statewide organization promoting social and economic equality for low- to moderate-income Texans through community organizing and civic engagement.
There was much condemnation on social media:
What is wrong with you!? Ppl are in need and you're trying to divert $ away to a PAC?!
— Carmen (@Carmen50) August 30, 2017
Delete your account.
So Linda Sarsour is attempting to exploit the victims of Hurricane #Harvey by fundraising off of the disaster. What… https://t.co/gHwFngWdf6— Nick Short (@Nick Short) 1504101809.0
Sarsour later responded to the online criticism by saying it was animated by "racists" and the alt-right.
"Alt-right" must have sent out an email blast. My mentions are on steroids.— Linda Sarsour (@Linda Sarsour) 1504106907.0
When racists respond to someone else's tweets about me. Read my timeline you lazy morons. You will learn A LOT. 🤦🏻♀️— Linda Sarsour (@Linda Sarsour) 1504102913.0