A Victoria queer activist group has come under fire for setting up a fund to pay local pro-Palestinian protesters.
Plenty Collective, a progressive organization that describes itself as “a small group of white, queer settlers,” says their “Solidarity Fund for Palestine” is available to “folks living in Lekwungen Territory (aka ‘Victoria, BC’)” who are “incurring costs related to supporting or organizing actions in solidarity with Palestine and Palestinian people. ”
The group says priority is given to non-white people, with individuals being asked to disclose their race on the sign-up form.
“Applications will be processed on a first come first serve basis, however applications from Palestinian and BIPOC people will be higher priority,” notes the Plenty Collective.
Costs that can be covered through the fund include lost wages, supplies, items for fundraising, as well as food and drinks.
Individuals can either receive $25, $50, $100 or another amount. The money is sent via e-transfer.
The group was called out on social media for their initiative.
Users on X (formerly Twitter) also pointed out that the Plenty Collective had received a $28,000 grant, along with the Belfry Theatre Society, from the Victoria Foundation – an organization that funds local initiatives in the city.
In a statement, the Victoria Foundation distanced itself from the group’s fund – and said it would pursue a review.
“The Belfry Theatre and Plenty Collective requested the funding for events that foster arts-based community connection and wellness. The purpose of the grant focused on queer community building, with an intersectional lens, through nourishment, art and connection,” said the foundation.
“As a funder, it is our expectation that grants are used for the purposes outlined in the application, and any changes to that need to be raised with the Foundation.”
“As part of our regular procedures, the Foundation does have a review process with a registered charity if we receive a concern about the use of funding. The review process has been initiated in this circumstance,” the foundation added.
The fund for pro-Palestinian protesters is just one of many several anti-Israel initiatives taken on by the Plenty Collective.
Along with other organizations and activists, the group played a role in successfully pressuring the Belfry Theatre to cancel an Israeli-linked play.
Screenshots of posts from the group’s now private Instagram account show the group threatening to pull its plays from the theatre if the Israeli play isn’t cancelled – accusing Israel of colonial racism and genocide and claiming Zionism is a “violent” ideology.
“Arts projects such as these further legitimize the genocide in Palestine, and violence against Palestinian people globally, which we cannot support. We were extremely disappointed to see that the Belfry was hosting this play, as we had thought we were aligned in our values of anti-oppressive community building.”
The organization is also doing a letter writing for Palestine campaign.
Neither the Plenty Collective nor the Belfry Theatre responded to True North’s request for comment.
