English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson has turned to Bitcoin after PayPal bans him from its platform.
Far-right activist Tommy Robinson (real name of Stephen Christopher Yaxley-Lennon) is no stranger to controversy. Robinson is the founder of the English Defence League, a group that is either considered a group of racist Nazis targeting Muslims or “a human rights organization concerned about how non-Muslims are being marginalized as sharia norms become increasingly embedded in our society,” depending upon a person’s point of view. Robinson is now embracing Bitcoin due to PayPal banning him from its platform.
PayPal Lowers the Boom on Tommy Robinson
Robinson had been using PayPal to raise funds, notably for his ongoing legal fees. He had recently been convicted of violating a court order, which saw him being arrested, tried, and sentenced within a few hours. That conviction was later overturned and a new trial ordered.
Robinson took to PayPal to inform his supporters that PayPal had banned him. The payment processor had received petitions to have him removed from the platform, and the company stated:
We do not allow PayPal services to be used to promote hate, violence, or other forms of intolerance that is discriminatory. […] We do not take decisions like these lightly, and we work hard to be rigorous and fair-minded when reviewing PayPal accounts.
Robinson discussed the ban to the Press Association, stating:
They just don’t like my opinion and want to silence me. The government and establishment can see I have public support, they can see I have the ability to fight back.
Turning to Cryptocurrency
Tommy Robinson also noted that PayPal was holding “a lot” of money that was currently in his account. Apparently, it will be a six full months before Robinson can begin making an attempt to withdraw the funds.
This move by PayPal has caused the controversial figure to turn to cryptocurrency. In a Facebook post, he listed his Bitcoin wallet address so that his supporters could continue to help fund his activities. The post reads:
Look at the PayPal Fascists, can’t even explain what exactly I have done that is not inline with their User agreement . They steal our funds for 6 months? Screw Paypal and the establishment if you still want to support me you can do so without Paypal at www.supporttommy.com or using Bitcoin wallet 3MspPzwvsAwNHG2UsFMXzA6LVhHRqzajRc ?
In a follow-up post, Robinson says that he is also accepting Bitcoin Cash as well. He says:
With Pay Pal displaying fascism and shutting me down because they disagree with my views you can still support my work on my website here www.supporttommy.com, clicking the button below the video or using Bitcoin wallet 1FnAD3Z2SmPXwXFVqQHTtDfTkzJVVv3yPn or Bitcoin cash qq4ju9am04jv0p434j9a3p5fv6vsz3afqq5mtp4vd5? #ScrewPayPal
Whether one hates him or supports him, it is interesting to note that a great deal of power is concentrated in the hands of a few technological and financial companies. Cryptocurrency allows people to bypass such gatekeepers and exercise individual economic choices. The matter on whether such choices are right or wrong belongs in the eye of the beholder.
What do you think about Tommy Robinson turning to cryptocurrency? Let us know in the comments below.
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