Viewers try to sabotage a Twitch streamer’s fundraiser – “There are people under the rubble”

On February 8, 2023By Garmin Philip

Twitch streamer Hasan “HasanAbi” Piker is raising funds to help earthquake victims in Syria and Turkey. But some people’s aversion to him goes so far that they want to prevent the donations.

What good cause is it? Like many people, the streamer was shaken by the earthquake that hit parts of Turkey and Syria on February 6. More than 4,300 people lost their lives, and many more are still missing and may still be buried under the rubble (via CNN).

There are also people whose access to water or electricity has been cut off.

That same day, HasanAbi shared an appeal for donations from Turkish streamer Jahrin, promising to do everything in his power to help those affected (via Twitter). After just 15 minutes, $150,000 in donations is said to have been collected (via Twitter).

However, the streamer’s efforts were sabotaged.

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Viewers prevent donation of over $50,000

How was the fundraiser sabotaged? Several major content creators wanted to contribute to the fundraiser. Including the YouTuber IShowSpeed, who is otherwise known for his rather cranky and loud streams.

IShowSpeed not only called on its viewers to donate, but wanted to contribute $50,000 themselves. However, fans of the streamer claimed that it was just a rip-off: HasanAbi would put the money in his own pocket and use it to make expensive purchases.

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Personal dislike should not stand in the way of a good cause

How is this discussed? YouTuber Cr1tikal spoke about the situation in an impromptu video. He clarified that both HasanAbi and IShowSpeed are controversial figures in the streaming scene, but in this case they are undeniably doing something good.

Cr1tikal urged viewers not to be blinded by their personal dislike of the content creators or to come up with reasons why what they’re doing is somehow wrong:

No matter how you spin it, bringing money to people in need after such a tragedy is a great thing. […] You can’t like Hasan ’til you turn black, you can fuck her up on twitter all you want […]. But when he’s doing something good like this, don’t try to find some crazy way to make it look horrible.

Cr1tikal via YouTube

HasanAbi is not aware of any guilt

How does HasanAbi himself react? The Twitch streamer has since commented on attempts to sabotage his fundraiser in his own stream. He said he didn’t do anything wrong in this situation or in the past.

All he bought was a house and a great car, says HasanAbi. However, he pointed out that there are bigger problems right now and that the people affected are suffering the consequences if donations are prevented.

I hate it. These people are so damn desperate to portray me as a villain, even when I’m actively trying to raise money for a cause, that they’re hurting fundraising efforts. There are literally people lying under the rubble right now.

HasanAbi

Despite opposing efforts, HasanAbi has already raised over $700,000 in donations (as of February 7, 8:20 p.m. via soft giving). The streamer thanked his community on Twitter: