GiveSendGo
By Khaleda Rahman
National Correspondent
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Online donations for a woman who was fired from a Cinnabon location in Wisconsin after a viral video showed her harassing a Somali couple with racist comments have topped $100,000.
Crystal Wilsey was fired from her job at a Cinnabon location in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin, over the weekend after a video showing her repeating racial slurs and admitting to being racist went viral on social media.
As of Monday, a GiveSendGo fundraiser aimed at making sure Wilsey "lands on her feet" stood at $100,697.
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Newsweek has contacted Wilsey for comment through messages on social media sent outside of regular business hours. GiveSendGo has been contacted for comment through a contact form on its website.
Why It Matters
The incident comes after recent attacks on the Somali community from President Donald Trump and administration officials.
His comments have raised concerns about discrimination against Somali Americans, especially as federal authorities are reportedly preparing a targeted immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota that would focus primarily on Somali immigrants living unlawfully in the United States.
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What To Know
The GiveSendGo page, set up by a person identified as Tom Hennessey, describes Wilsey as a "hardworking White mom doing her job at Cinnabon."
It adds: "Two Somali customers decide to make her shift hell with intimidation. Instead of banning the offenders and backing their employee, Cinnabon fires Crystal to keep the nons happy. We’re not letting this slide. Funds go to making sure Crystal lands on her feet after this betrayal. No White person should lose their job for refusing to be harassed by Somalis."
Several donations to the fundraiser have come with notes supporting Wilsey’s comments, expressing racist sentiments and calling for Somali immigrants to be deported.
They are reminiscent of the messages posted on a fundraising page on the Christian crowdfunding platform for a Minnesota woman who was filmed calling a Black child the n-word earlier this year. GiveSendGo later restricted comments on that fundraiser.
What People Are Saying
A Cinnabon spokesperson told Newsweek in a statement on Saturday: "We are aware of the deeply troubling video involving a former employee at the independently owned and operated Cinnabon bakery in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin. The individual seen in the video was immediately terminated by the franchise owner."
The statement added: "Their actions and statements are completely unacceptable and in no way reflect the values of Cinnabon, our franchisees, or the welcoming environment we expect for every guest and team member. We take this situation and remain committed to ensuring all guests are treated with dignity, respect and kindness every time they visit one of our bakeries."
What Happens Next?
It remains to be seen whether Wilsey will receive money from donations to the GiveSendGo fundraiser, and if so how much.
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