American actor Kal Penn has started a fundraising campaign titled ‘Donating to Syrian Refugees in the name of the Dude who said I Don’t Belong in America.’ An Instagram commenter said to Penn that “you don’t belong in this country”, which is what set this charitable ball rolling.
The verbal attack came in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s new executive order “Protection Of The Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into The United States” that suspends refugee arrivals and impose tough new controls on travellers from seven Muslim countries.
Penn, who was born in New Jersey to Gujarati immigrant parents, spoke out against Trump’s executive order on Instagram in a post that detailed how it affected him and his friends.
The 39-year-old actor decided to start a CrowdRise fundraiser in the name of a commenter who posted a hateful comment under the post.
“We are better than the hateful people who tell us we don’t belong in our own country, that America can’t be a beacon of freedom and hope for refugees from around the world,” Penn wrote in the fundraiser’s description. “We will turn their bigotry, along with the President’s, into love.”
The campaign, which aims to raise 250,000 dollars, has raised 166,310 dollars at last check. Proceeds with go to International Rescue Committee that works towards helping refugee families in crisis.
