Examine individual changes

'@@ -1,15 +1,40 @@ -{{Multiple issues|{{primary sources|date=February 2019}}{{Cleanup AfD|date=June 2019}}}} -The '''WalkAway campaign''', also styled '''#WalkAway''', is a [[social media campaign]] that was launched ahead of the [[2018 midterm elections|United States 2018 mid-term elections]] by Brandon Straka, a hairstylist from New York City.<ref name="FitsimonsDemocrats">{{cite news |last1=FitSimons |first1=Tim |title=Meet Brandon Straka, a gay former liberal encouraging others to #WalkAway from Democrats |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/meet-brandon-straka-gay-former-liberal-encouraging-others-walkaway-democrats-n902316 |accessdate=18 March 2019 |publisher=NBC News |date=21 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=#WalkAway Campaign Official YouTube|title=#WalkAway - Brandon Straka, "Why I left the Democrat Party"|date=2018-06-29|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51UGcghHZsk|access-date=2018-11-03}}</ref> According to the campaign's website, the campaign "encourages and supports those on the Left to walk away from the divisive tenets endorsed and mandated by the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] of today."<ref>{{Citation|title=#WalkAway Campaign"|url=https://www.walkawaycampaign.com/|access-date=2020-01-21}}</ref> +The [https://www.walkawaycampaign.com/ #WalkAway Campaign] is a grassroots movement<ref>{{Cite web|title=#WalkAway Campaign {{!}} Politics|url=https://www.walkawaycampaign.com/|access-date=2020-09-02|website=#WalkAway Campaign|language=en}}</ref>, founded by former liberal, '''Brandon Straka''' on May 26th, 2018. The #WalkAway Campaign’s stated mission is to encourage and support those on the political Left to “walk away” from what they believe to be divisive tenets endorsed and mandated by the Democratic Party. Their stated objective is to help people walk away from “the lies, the false narratives, the fake news, the race-baiting, the victim narrative...of the left”. Their website also states, “we are walking away from a party driven by hate. We are walking toward patriotism and a new, unified America! We are the future of this great nation!”<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-03-04|title=Brandon Straka explains the #WalkAway campaign and his disillusionment with Democratic Party and liberal media|url=https://www.foxnews.com/transcript/brandon-straka-explains-the-walkaway-campaign-and-his-disillusionment-with-democratic-party-and-liberal-media|access-date=2020-09-02|website=Fox News|language=en-US}}</ref> -== Controversy == -News sources have debated the extent to which WalkAway is an example of [[astroturfing]] rather than a genuine [[Grassroots lobbying|grassroots movement]]. David A. Love of [[CNN]] condemned the campaign as "pure propaganda, a psychological operation" and "connected to Kremlin-linked [[Russian web brigades|Russian bots]]".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/07/17/opinions/russian-bots-2018-midterm-elections-opinion-love/index.html|title=Russian bots are using #WalkAway to try to wound Dems in midterms|last=Love|first=David A.|work=CNN|access-date=2018-11-03}}</ref> The website [[Hamilton 68]], which tracks [[Russian interference in the 2020 United States elections|Russia's interference on U.S. elections]], reported that WalkAway was "connected to Kremlin-linked Russian bots to manipulate voters into thinking the movement was more popular and active that it actually was."<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=#Walkaway movement to hold Atlanta event amid questions about support|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/local/walkaway-movement-hold-atlanta-event-amid-questions-about-support/D8rFyISOyCmEstogz3o5vM/|last=Suggs|first=Ernie|date=|website=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|language=English|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-05-20}}</ref> However Glenn Greenwald of ''[[The Intercept]]'' claims "Hamilton 68 was, and remains, incredibly opaque about its methodology, refusing even to identify which accounts they designate as “promoting Russian influence online.”"<ref>{{cite web |last1=McGrath |first1=Glenn Greenwald |title=How Shoddy Reporting and Anti-Russian Propaganda Coerced Ecuador to Silence Julian Assange |url=https://theintercept.com/2018/04/20/how-fake-news-and-western-propaganda-about-russian-interference-in-catalonia-coerced-ecuador-to-silence-julian-assange/ |website=The Intercept |accessdate=28 June 2020}}</ref> +== History == +In 2016, Brandon Straka was a staunch liberal supporter who was keen on seeing '''[[Hillary Clinton]]''' win the [[2016 United States presidential election|presidential election]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Brandon Straka, Twitter Post|url=https://twitter.com/brandonstraka/status/1200140299219226625|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-09-02|website=Twitter|language=en}}</ref> After witnessing what he considered to be a dire upset, Straka lashed out on social media against those who voted for [[Donald Trump|Trump]], until a friend sent him a video compilation proving '''[[Donald Trump|President Trump]]''' was innocent of mocking a disabled reporter.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2018-06-29|title=#WalkAway - Brandon Straka, "Why I Left the Democrat Party"|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51UGcghHZsk|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=#WalkAway Campaign Official YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-03-04|title=Brandon Straka explains the #WalkAway campaign and his disillusionment with Democratic Party and liberal media|url=https://www.foxnews.com/transcript/brandon-straka-explains-the-walkaway-campaign-and-his-disillusionment-with-democratic-party-and-liberal-media|access-date=2020-09-02|website=Fox News|language=en-US}}</ref> Straka describes this moment as a turning point in his feelings toward the liberal media that he had, up until then, trusted. Feeling despaired by what he had learned, Straka immediately delved into immense research and discovered what he believed to be lies and divisiveness by the Left. A few months later, Straka launched a viral video discussing all the reasons why he was leaving the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat Party]] and encouraged others to do the same.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Circa|first=NATALIE GRIM|date=2018-10-27|title='#WalkAway' movement renouncing liberalism marches through nation's capital|url=https://katu.com/news/nation-world/walkaway-movement-renouncing-liberalism-marches-through-nations-capital|access-date=2020-09-02|website=KATU}}</ref> He created a [[Facebook]] group called the “#WalkAway Campaign” and called out for others who were feeling abandoned and alienated by the political Left to create their own video and written testimonials and to use the hashtag “#WalkAway”. Following his lead, hundreds of thousands of other Americans joined the group, and began posting their videos, sharing their own personal stories of why they too were walking away from the Left. <ref>{{Cite web|last=Suggs|first=Ernie|last2=Journal-Constitution|first2=The Atlanta|title=#Walkaway movement to hold Atlanta event amid questions about support|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/local/walkaway-movement-hold-atlanta-event-amid-questions-about-support/D8rFyISOyCmEstogz3o5vM/|access-date=2020-09-02|website=ajc|language=English}}</ref> + +Since launching the campaign, #WalkAway has gained a following of over 1 million people worldwide. In October 2018, Straka led a “March on Washington” in support of those who were walking away from the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat Party]] with thousands of supporters in attendance.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-01-30|title=CPAC 2020 {{!}} Brandon Straka|url=https://cpac.conservative.org/speaker/brandon-straka/|access-date=2020-09-02|website=CPAC 2021|language=en-US}}</ref> Gaining public attention, #WalkAway has been featured on numerous media outlets including '''[[Fox News|FOX]]''', '''[[One America News Network|OAN]]''', '''[[BlazeTV|Blaze]]''', '''[[America’s Voice]]''', '''[[C-SPAN]]''' and '''[[Breitbart News|Breitbart]]'''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Brandon Straka on the WalkAway Campaign {{!}} C-SPAN.org|url=https://www.c-span.org/video/?468233-4/washington-journal-brandon-straka-discusses-walkaway-campaign|access-date=2020-09-02|website=www.c-span.org|language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=AMPFEST - Brandon Straka - America's Voice News|date=2019-10-17|url=https://americasvoice.news/ampfest-brandon-straka/|language=en-US|access-date=2020-09-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2019-05-23|title=#WalkAway Founder Talks About Leaving the Democratic Party|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9K64PKwB8go|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=BlazeTV Office YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Brandon Straka explains the #WalkAway campaign and his disillusionment with Democratic Party and liberal media|url=http://video.foxnews.com/v/6009837570001/|access-date=2020-09-02|website=Fox News|language=en}}</ref> Straka has done several high profile appearances on the behalf of #WalkAway on Life, Liberty & Levin with '''[[Mark Levin]]''', Real News Insights with '''[[Lara Trump]]''', The '''[[Tucker Carlson]]''' Show, Ingram Angle with '''[[Laura Ingraham]]''', Justice with '''[[Jeanine Pirro|Judge Jeanine Pirro]]''', The Huckabee Show with '''[[Mike Huckabee]]''', and Fox Nation with '''[[Tomi Lahren]]''', and many more.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2019-03-04|title=Life, Liberty, & Levin March 3 Guest Brandon Straka #WalkAway Founder Fox Mar 3 2019|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIuTyNut6mU|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=Bjorn Ottoson Official YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2019-09-23|title=Real News Insights with Brandon Straka|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36t5-0Tpu30|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=Donald J. Trump Official YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2018-07-02|title=Ex-liberal to progressives: Walk away|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwsrPYUazq8|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=Fox News Official YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2018-07-03|title=Campaign to abandon liberalism goes viral|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EX0RyawQub4|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=Fox News Official YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2018-08-13|title=Brandon Straka: 'I Don't Want To Be A Liberal Anymore!' #WalkAway {{!}} Huckabee|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eO_-wchKGhs|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=Huckabee Office YouTube}}</ref> In less than two years time Straka has been the featured guest on thousands of television and radio interviews, podcasts, and print media stories. + +Straka was invited to deliver a speech at '''[[Donald Trump|President Trump’s]]''' rally in Cincinnati, Ohio in August 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Plott|first=Elaina|date=2019-08-02|title=‘We’re All Tired of Being Called Racists’|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2019/08/trump-supporters-called-racists/595333/|access-date=2020-09-02|website=The Atlantic|language=en-US}}</ref> After receiving numerous shoutouts and praises from '''[[Donald Trump|President Trump]]''' on social media since #WalkAway’s inception, Straka personally met [[Donald Trump|President Trump]] at a gathering held at '''[[Mar-a-Lago]]''' in December 2019. + +Since its founding, #WalkAway has been focused on events such as the #WalkAway LGBT Town Halls, the #WalkAway Black Americans Town Halls, and the #WalkAway Hispanic Americans Town Halls as well as numerous issue-based events and rallies, including the #WalkAway Rescue America Town Hall with '''[[Dinesh D'Souza|Dinesh D’Souza]]'''. Other events include the upcoming American Women’s Town Hall in Washington D.C. with guest appearances by '''[[Diamond and Silk|Diamond & Silk]]''', '''[[Lara Trump]]''', '''[[Jeanine Pirro|Judge Jeanine Pirro]]''', '''[[Katie Hopkins]]''' and '''Shemeka Michelle'''. #WalkAway is also planning the #Unsilent Majority March on Washington to be held on October 3, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=#WalkAway Presents: Unsilent Majority March|url=https://www.eventbrite.com/e/74747225965?aff=efbneb|access-date=2020-09-02|website=Eventbrite|language=en-us}}</ref> + +== Brandon Straka == +Brandon Straka, born on December 16, 1976, grew up in '''[[O'Neill, Nebraska|O’Neill, Nebraska]]''' in what he described as being an extremely rural and conservative upbringing. Due to his conservative environment, Straka unfortunately often faced severe discrimination for being gay.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Meet the gay former liberal encouraging others to #WalkAway from Democrats|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/meet-brandon-straka-gay-former-liberal-encouraging-others-walkaway-democrats-n902316|access-date=2020-09-02|website=NBC News|language=en}}</ref> Born to a family of cattle ranchers, Straka left his family’s ranch upon completing school in '''[[O'Neill, Nebraska|O’Neill, Nebraska]]'''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2019-09-25|title=Brandon Straka Twitter Post|url=https://twitter.com/brandonstraka/status/1177018881883328512|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-09-02|website=Twitter|language=en}}</ref> As an aspiring actor, Straka moved to '''[[New York City]]''' to pursue a career in entertainment. In order to support his acting career, Straka worked as a hairstylist and as a server in restaurants and bars during the evening hours. While pursuing his acting career, Straka fell victim to alcohol and cocaine abuse until he decided in 2015 to join [[Alcoholics Anonymous|AA]] and get clean.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Meet the gay former liberal encouraging others to #WalkAway from Democrats|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/meet-brandon-straka-gay-former-liberal-encouraging-others-walkaway-democrats-n902316|access-date=2020-09-02|website=NBC News|language=en}}</ref> Since then, Straka has been a strong advocate against substance abuse and is passionate about helping others that suffer from addiction.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Brandon Straka|url=https://www.facebook.com/BrandonStraka/posts/649400265480942|access-date=2020-09-02|website=www.facebook.com|language=en}}</ref> + +In 2016, Straka became consumed by the [[2016 United States presidential election|presidential election]] due to his strong disapproval for [[Donald Trump|'''Donald Trump'''.]] Straka claims he was falsely misled by the left-wing media and was not aware of the actual truth until a friend shared with him a video compilation of Trump using the same gestures used to describe him as mocking a disabled reporter, to mock anyone he thought was caught in the act of lying.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2018-06-29|title=#WalkAway - Brandon Strake, 'Why I Left the Democrat Party'|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=51UGcghHZsk|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=#WalkAway Campaign Official YouTube}}</ref> As a result, Straka launched the #WalkAway campaign to encourage other voters to leave the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]]. In May 2018, Straka created a video proclaiming he was “walking away” from the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic party]] and subsequently posted it online with the now famous hashtag “#WalkAway”. The video instantly went viral and Straka has since become one of the largest conservative influencers in America today. Since they started, Straka and the #WalkAway Campaign has amassed well over a million followers worldwide. + +== March on Washington == +On October 30, 2018, #WalkAway launched its first March on Washington with an estimated 5000 people in attendance.<ref>{{Cite web|last=http://www.washingtontimes.com|first=The Washington Times|title=#WALKAWAY from Democrats political push hits public radar with D.C. march|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/oct/28/walkaway-from-democrats-political-push-hits-public/|access-date=2020-09-02|website=The Washington Times|language=en-US}}</ref> The night before, organizers of the march met at '''Trump International Hotel''' to lay out the framework. The march began at John Marshall Memorial Park on Saturday morning where attendees marched roughly 1 mile along [[Pennsylvania Avenue]] to [[Freedom Plaza]]. Once they arrived, a panel of conservative influencers delivered a series of speeches including '''[[Stacey Dash|Stacy Dash]]''', '''Lt. Col. Robert “Buzz” Patterson''', '''[[Dinesh D'Souza]]''', '''[[Diamond and Silk]]''', '''[[Joy Villa]]''', '''[[Mark Burns (pastor)|Pastor Mark Burns]]''', '''Wayne Dupree''' along with many others. + +On the day of the march, '''[[Donald Trump|President Trump]]''' applauded #WalkAway and Brandon Straka by tweeting “Walkaway from the Democrat Party movement marches today in D.C. Congratulations to Brandon Straka for starting something very special.” Due to the success of the first march, Straka and his team have planned yet another march to take place in October 2020, called the '''[https://www.unsilentmarch.com/ #UNSILENT Majority March on Washington]''', with many more patriots and followers expected to be in attendance.<ref>{{Cite web|title=#WalkAway Presents: Unsilent Majority March|url=https://www.eventbrite.com/e/74747225965?aff=efbneb|access-date=2020-09-02|website=Eventbrite|language=en-us}}</ref> + +== #WalkAway Town Halls == +In an effort to better educate the public, the #WalkAway Foundation, a [[Nonprofit organization|non-profit]] inspired by the Campaign, hosts a series of town halls to help minority groups that feel they are misrepresented and taken advantage of by the political Left. Such groups include the Black, Hispanic, LGBT, Asian and Jewish communities. At each of these town halls, the foundation hosts a series of open panels and discussions with conservative and liberal influencers in attendance. Notable appearances have been made by high profile activists including actor '''[[Isaiah Washington]]''', comedian '''Terrence Williams''',  '''[[Blaire White]]''', '''[[Ricky Rebel]]''', '''[[Joy Villa]]''', '''Ana Paulina''', '''Mikey Harlow''', '''[[Dinesh D'Souza|Dinesh D’Souza]]''' along with many others. <ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-05-05|title=Actor Isaiah Washington, Singer Joy Villa Call for Los Angelenos to #WalkAway|url=https://www.theepochtimes.com/actor-isaiah-washington-singer-joy-villa-call-for-los-angelenos-to-walkaway_2907074.html|access-date=2020-09-02|website=www.theepochtimes.com|language=en-US}}</ref> + +The #WalkAway Town Halls have drawn thousands in attendance both in-person as well as online. However, there has been at times immense pushback from the liberal community leading to controversy. In March 2019, the [[Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center]] in New York canceled an LGBT Town Hall to be held by Straka and the #WalkAway Foundation.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Osborne|first=Duncan|date=2019-08-23|title=LGBT Center Aims to Dismiss #WalkAway Lawsuit|url=https://www.gaycitynews.com/lgbt-center-aims-to-dismiss-walkaway-lawsuit/|access-date=2020-09-02|website=Gay City News|language=en-US}}</ref> Straka later sued the center proclaiming they had canceled his event shortly after discovering he was a [[Conservatism|conservative]]. Later in 2019, two other LGBT events were canceled in [[Chicago]] and [[California]] again due to immense public pressure received from outside liberal influences. + +== Appearances at CPAC == +Straka was invited by '''[[Matt Schlapp]]''' and the '''[[American Conservative Union]]''' to be a speaker at the [[Conservative Political Action Conference|CPAC Annual Conference]] in 2019 as well as in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Tracy|first=Matt|date=2019-06-17|title=#WalkAway Leader Sues LGBT Center|url=https://www.gaycitynews.com/walkaway-leader-sues-lgbt-center/|access-date=2020-09-02|website=Gay City News|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-03-21|title=UPDATE: New York LGBT Center Cancels Right Wing Event After Backlash|url=https://www.out.com/news/2019/3/21/new-york-lgbt-center-under-fire-hosting-right-wing-event|access-date=2020-09-02|website=www.out.com|language=en}}</ref> In 2019, Straka delivered a speech in which he addressed several issues he believes are plaguing America.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Brandon Straka at CPAC 2019|url=https://cpac.conservative.org/watch-brandon-straka-at-cpac-2019/|access-date=2020-09-02|website=CPAC 2021|language=en-US}}</ref> Straka proclaimed the liberal media is falsely empowering liberal politicians and enabling them to take advantage of minority groups. Straka called for these minority groups to push back and educate themselves on topics pertaining to them so that they can make their own informed decisions rather than being lied to and taken advantage of by liberal politicians.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Garcia|first=Victor|date=2019-03-03|title=#WalkAway founder slams 'liberal media machine' for helping Democrats become a 'party of hate'|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/walkaway-founder-slams-liberal-media-machine-for-helping-democrats-become-a-party-of-hate|access-date=2020-09-02|website=Fox News|language=en-US}}</ref> -Abby Ohlheiser in ''[[The Washington Post]]'' claimed "There’s little actual evidence to suggest that #WalkAway represents a mass conversion of millions – or even thousands – of Democrats", and contrasted the broad appeal of true [[Viral video|viral videos]] with the "Conservative Internet viral" nature of the WalkAway video.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Analysis {{!}} The #WalkAway meme is what happens when everything is viral and nothing matters|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-intersect/wp/2018/07/02/the-walkaway-meme-is-what-happens-when-everything-is-viral-and-nothing-matters/|last=Ohlheiser|first=Abby|date=2 July 2018|website=The Washington Post|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2018-11-03}}</ref> [[ThinkProgress]] characterized the campaign as "a grifting operation," noting efforts by the organizers to sell dinner packages priced in the hundreds of dollars to march attendees.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pro-Trump #WalkAway March has all the signs of a grifting operation|url=https://thinkprogress.org/is-the-right-wing-walkaway-march-already-falling-apart-95dbce937e2a/|last=Michel|first=Casey|date=16 October 2018|website=ThinkProgress|publisher=|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> +== #WalkAway Videos == +In part of encouraging people walking away from the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat Party]] to share their stories, the #WalkAway Campaign encourages supporters to post a video about their experiences on The #WalkAway Facebook group.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-10-04|title='It Just Exploded': #WalkAway Movement Grows as Former Democrats Leave Party|url=https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2019/october/it-just-exploded-walkaway-movement-grows-as-former-democrats-leave-party-nbsp|access-date=2020-09-02|website=CBN News|language=en}}</ref> Over the past 2 years, the group has received thousands of video testimonials from people all over the world and has acted as a source of inspiration for thousands of others. Executives from #WalkAway claim that as the cause becomes more well known, more video testimonials are uploaded every day. -''[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]'' journalist Mark Joseph Stern accused Straka of presenting royalty-free [[stock photography|stock images]] from [[Shutterstock]] and claiming they were of people who had left the Democratic Party.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90207120/these-people-who-walked-away-from-the-democrats-are-stock-photo-models|title=These people who “walked away from the Democrats” are stock-photo models|date=2018-07-24|work=Fast Company|access-date=2018-11-03|language=en-US}}</ref> Straka has denied that any such material originated from the WalkAway campaign. Snopes posted a tweet from Stern stating that the wife of Supreme Court Justice [[Clarence Thomas]] shared the meme.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/walkaway-campaign-stock-photos/|title=FACT CHECK: Did the #WalkAway Campaign Use Stock Photographs for People It Claimed Left the Democratic Party?|work=Snopes.com|access-date=2018-11-03|language=en-US}}</ref> +== Controversy == +<nowiki>#</nowiki>WalkAway has been accused on numerous occasions of astroturfing by utilizing Russian bots to promote conservative propaganda by a company called [[Hamilton 68]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2019-07-09|title=Alliance for Securing Democracy Twitter|url=https://twitter.com/securedemocracy/status/1016409179182034944|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-09-02|website=Twitter|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2018-07-09|title=Alliance for Securing Democracy Twitter|url=https://twitter.com/securedemocracy/status/1016408398311710721|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-09-02|website=Twitter|language=en}}</ref> David A. Love of '''[[CNN]]''' condemned the campaign as "pure propaganda, a psychological operation" and "connected to Kremlin-linked '''[[Russian bots]]'''".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Love|first=David A.|title=Russian bots are using #WalkAway to try to wound Dems in midterms|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/17/opinions/russian-bots-2018-midterm-elections-opinion-love/index.html|access-date=2020-09-02|website=CNN}}</ref> Straka and the #WalkAway Campaign have profusely denied such claims and insist they are purposely being targeted by the Left-wing media. Due to Straka’s support for conservative causes, he has often had unfriendly encounters with liberal supporters. -Straka has stated that WalkAway does not receive major donations and that "everything is grassroots support from Americans who send us $5 or $100."<ref name=":1" /> {{As of|2020|May}}, the [[Center for Responsive Politics]] reported that of the $20,004 donated to WalkAway in 2020, $7,521 were contributed by nine large ($200 or more) donors—of which Straka is one.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Walkaway Campaign PAC Summary {{!}} OpenSecrets|url=https://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/lookup2.php?cycle=2020&strID=C00718197|website=www.opensecrets.org|access-date=2020-05-20}}</ref> +One controversial incident occurred at an airport when Straka was accosted by an aspiring model for wearing a '''MAGA''' hat. Straka recorded the incident and broadcasted it live to social media. In an interesting turn of events, Straka later learned the model's mother was ill and was raising funds for treatment via a '''[[GoFundMe]]''' page. Upon hearing this, Straka donated to the crowdfunding campaign and encouraged his followers to do the same. The campaign purportedly raised over $1,000 before it was taken down. -When asked if WalkAway received $10,000 from [[Alex Jones]] and [[InfoWars]], Straka replied, "Yes, we did! And we are so grateful to Alex and everyone else who has helped to contribute to the success of our campaign."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/walkaway/comments/956lnq/hi_everyone_im_brandon_straka_founder_of_walkaway/e3qhxd1/?context=3|title=Hi everyone, I’m Brandon Straka, founder of #WalkAway Campaign, a true grassroots movement...}}|access-date=2020-08-20</ref> +In August 2019, Straka also had an unfriendly encounter with Congresswoman '''[[Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez|Alexandria Ocasio Cortez]]''' at her office in '''[[Jackson Heights, Queens]]'''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2019-11-04|title=Brandon Straka Twitter|url=https://twitter.com/brandonstraka/status/1191430202229813255|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-09-02|website=Twitter|language=en}}</ref> Straka claims he had visited the office to politely share he was going to hold a Hispanic Americans Town Hall in [[Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez|Cortez’s]] district to better educate [[Hispanic Americans]] on how the Left is misrepresenting them. However, [[Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez|Cortez]] refused to acknowledge Straka or his message. [[Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez|Cortez]] has since never publicly acknowledged the incident or provided any comment in respect to it. == See also == '