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Apr 22, 2019

DEPLATFORMED: Patriot Militia Gets Booted Off PayPal and GoFundMe

By Jose Nino

The United Constitutional Patriots have been kicked off of PayPal and GoFundMe.

The armed group of patriots who have helped detain waves of migrants were booted off the platforms on Friday after a video of the group apprehending 200 migrants went viral.

A spokesperson for PayPal told BuzzFeed News that “The account associated with United Constitutional Patriots has been closed due to a violation of our Acceptable Use Policy.”

The PayPal spokesperson also clarified that “We do not allow PayPal services to be used to promote hate, violence, or other forms of intolerance that is discriminatory.”

Mark Cheney, the head of the militia group, confirmed that GoFundMe suspended his organization’s accounts.

Cheney told BuzzFeed, “They killed us” and that he has to “find some other way for people to donate.”

GoFundMe stated that “This campaign was removed from the platform because it was found to be in violation of GoFundMe terms and conditions.”

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) wrote New Mexico leaders urging them to prevent the militia from threatening migrant families.

In a letter directed to New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, ACLU attorneys wrote “We cannot allow racist and armed vigilantes to kidnap and detain people seeking asylum.”

Grisham made a statement on Friday, April 22, 2019, stating that it was “completely unacceptable that migrant families “might be menaced or threatened in any way, shape or form when they arrive at our border.”

The governor added “It should go without saying that regular citizens have no authority to arrest or detain anyone.”

BLP recently covered UCP’s efforts and the backlash they have received so far.

With immigration reform moving slowly, certain groups like UCP feel motivated to take matters into their own hands.

BLP has reported on how migrant crossings are about to exceed Bush era levels.

All things considered, law enforcement at the border will need all the help it can get.

Mass migration is taking its toll in the West, and the U.S. is the latest theatre to see unprecedented waves of migrants come across its border.

Donald Trump was largely elected on the basis of his pro-border platform in 2016.

BLP found that this same pro-border platform plays very well with Republican voters and could likely propel him to victory in 2020.

However, as conservative activists like Faith Goldy have found, social media and payment processors are becoming increasingly hostile towards conservative individuals and organizations.

The United Constitutional Patriots are just the latest group to face Big Tech’s wrath.