A British Black Lives Matter activist helped raise tens of thousands of pounds for a charitable cause. She then used it to fund her lifestyle.
The context
In the summer of 2020, after the murder of George Floyd, protests against racial discrimination and police brutality spread across America—and the world. In Britain, activists raised awareness of the legacies of the country’s past involvement in slavery and the slave trade.
Slave hub
Bristol, a British city near the coast, was once one of the most important ports in the country. It became one of the centers of the Atlantic slave trade, with the city gaining significant amounts of wealth as a result.
Down with slavers
In June 2020, activists held a massive march in Bristol, culminating in the toppling of a statue of Edward Colston. Colston was a Bristol native who made his fortune in the slave trade.
The activist
Xahra Saleem, a Black Lives Matter activist, helped organize the march, which sparked intense controversy after photos and videos of the statue being pushed into the river went viral.
Fundraising
Saleem was also a director for a youth charity called Changing Your Mindset. She set up a GoFundMe page for the charity in order to raise money for the 2020 march.
The money comes in
The fundraiser set up by Saleem soon saw significant success—hundreds of donations totaling thousands of pounds flooded in.
The money goes out
Instead of spending the money on the march or other charitable causes, Saleem transferred it to her personal accounts. She then spent it on rent, clothing, a new iPhone, and Uber.
Admitting guilt
In total, Saleem admitted to inappropriately spending over £30,000 in charitable donations. She was sentenced on Tuesday to two-and-a-half years in prison.
The Judge’s verdict
The Judge, Michael Longman, acknowledged that charitable fundraising was “a worthwhile cause.” However, he continued, Saleem’s subsequent spending was far from honest.
Stern words
“Your dishonest behavior continued for a substantial amount of time,” the Longman told Saleem. “There were a large number of victims. You must have realized how much your behavior would affect so many people.”
Personal betrayal
Deneisha Royal is a twenty-two-year-old who would have received support from Changing Your Mindset had the charity’s funds not been spent and the organization shut down. “It saddens me that a member of our community could do this to us,” Royal said. “For me, the group was a safe space.… For some members, it was an opportunity to cook a meal, collect donations, and receive support for mental health as well as learn about new things such as employment opportunities.”
Not alone
Saleem is not the only Black Lives Matter activist accused of fraudulent behavior. At least two American activists have been indicted on more than a dozen counts of fraud, money laundering, and other similar charges.
Disappointment
The revelations of fraud are particularly disappointing for many who saw the post-2020 rise in awareness and activism as a potential moment for significant change. The misbehavior of fraudster activists undermines the movement they purported to support and distracts from the real problems that still need to be solved.
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