The fundraising campaign for Kaitlyn Tracey, a Canadian woman allegedly involved in a physical altercation with a teen Trump supporter, has surpassed its initial goal of $3,500 US. The funds will be used for her legal defense, as she faces charges of endangering the welfare of a child, simple assault, harassment, and obstruction.
A previous GoFundMe campaign for Tracey was taken down due to the platform's terms of service, which prohibits fundraisers for the legal defense of violent crimes. However, her supporters claim the campaign was removed following a coordinated mass-reporting effort by a Facebook group. As a result, a new campaign was launched on GiveSendGo, a different fundraising platform.
The new campaign, created by Travis Williams, aims to secure experienced legal representation for Tracey throughout her immigration case. According to the campaign, every dollar donated will be paid directly to her legal team to cover attorney fees and related legal expenses.
Kaitlyn Tracey, who appeared to work at a Toronto coffee shop and a living room bar before moving to the United States, has been living with her husband, Matt Geroni, in Ashbury Park. She allegedly confronted a group of teens, including two wearing patriotic clothing, on July 3, and slapped one girl wearing a "Trump" and "ICE" sweatshirt.
Tracey's husband, Matt Geroni, has maintained that the viral video of the altercation was "totally out of context" and showed his wife as the aggressor when she was not. He has also pleaded for help to get his wife out of ICE custody, citing her right to a fair legal process.
The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed that Tracey was taken into ICE custody due to her expired visa, and she will remain pending her immigration proceedings. Her situation has sparked a heated debate on social media, with some calling for her removal from the country.
