Brookline Man Behind Fundraiser to Rebuild Firebombed NC GOP Office

BROOKLINE, MA – An online fundraiser started by Brookline Democrat David Weinberger and several others will help rebuild the GOP office in Orange County, NC after it was severely damaged in a firebombing Sunday.

The GoFundMe, "Dems help reopen a NC Repub office," raised $10,000 just 40 minutes after going public, Weinberger wrote in an update on the fundraising page. It was created under Weinberger's name, but he stressed that it was the brainchild of himself, Dan Gillmor, Jeff Jarvis, Clay Shirky, Joe Trippi and Zeynep Tufekc, all of whom identify as either Democrats or left-leaning Independents.

"Until an investigation is undertaken, we cannot know who did this or why. No matter the result, this is not how Americans resolve their differences," Weinberger wrote on the page. "We talk, we argue, sometimes we march, and most of all we vote. We do not resort to violence by individuals or by mobs."

As of Monday afternoon, the GoFundMe had raised more than $13,000.

SEE ALSO:

• Local Republican Party Office in North Carolina Firebombed, Nearby Building Vandalized

• Fundraiser Started by Democrats Raises $13K to Help Rebuild Firebombed NC GOP Office

Comments posted on the fundraising page all shared the theme that the effort had nothing to do with politics and was simply about people helping people, regardless of party affiliation.

"It is amazing to me that you folks are trying to do a good thing here, a healing thing, and a very righteous thing, and some people are questioning your motives. Amazing. Thank YOU, from a very conservative leaning independent. Thank you and shame on the nay sayers!" wrote Bill Sorenson.

"I absolutely agree with this effort. Republican, Democrat, Independent, Green Party, Libertarian, or other -- we are all AMERICANS," a person named Mark Bender wrote.

"Are folks really blaming Hillary for this? This is a really great, shining moment of compassion and consideration to repair what was lost during a awful event, and people will still find a way to avoid the thoughtfulness of many to focus on a person that had nothing to do with it. My god," wrote Gabe Mendoza.

Both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump condemned the attack. Trump initially placed the blame on those supporting Clinton and the Democrats; however, no arrests have been made, and local authorities have not named any persons of interest or said who might have been behind the attack.

The fundraising effort is not officially affiliated with the Democratic Party.

Feroze Dhanoa (Patch National Staff) contributed to this report.

Image via NCGOP