Over $45k raised for Vancouver man assaulted by "anti-gay bullies"
A GoFundMe has raised more than $45,000 for a Vancouver man who was assaulted by a group associated with homophobic street demonstrations.
Now, he plans to donate the excess funds.
Last weekend, Justin Morissette took to Twitter after he says a group of “anti-gay evangelical bullies” broke his leg in the city’s West End. The Vancouver resident, who works as a producer at a local radio station, says that he confronted the group as they were yelling messages of intolerance over a loudspeaker.
A GoFundMe that was set up by Morissette’s brother states that this is the second time that such a demonstration has occurred this summer.
I’m only tweeting about this because there have been too many instances of unchecked racism and during the pandemic, videos of people spewing hate while everyone just sits there and ignores it. Do not allow yourself to do that. That behavior is not welcome in our communities.
— Justin Morissette 👊🏻 (@JustinMoris) August 23, 2020
The GoFundMe also explains that Morissette was “violently assaulted and seriously injured” but, fortunately, police and ambulance were on scene. He was taken to the hospital having both bones in his left leg broken and his left knee dislocated.
“In the coming months, Justin will be faced with medical bills, a loss of income, legal fees, rent and living costs,” reads the fundraiser. “It will be some time before rehab is completed and he is able to return to work. He badly needs the help of his family and friends to manage this tragic turn of events.”
Since being launched, the GoFundMe has raised nearly double the amount of its $25,000 goal. At the time of writing, $47,580 has been raised for Morissette’s recovery fund.
Morissette’s brother, who organized the fundraiser, says that Justin plans to donate any excess funds to Qmunity, a non-profit organization in Vancouver that “works to improve queer, trans, and Two-Spirit lives.”
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The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) says that two men, both members of the religious demonstrations, were arrested for aggravated assault and mischief. They were transported to VPD jail but were later released under conditions to stay away from the area and have no contact with the victim.
VPD hate crime investigators have also been called to investigate if hate was a motivating factor in the assault and are asking any witnesses they haven’t spoken with to step forward.
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