Hollywood actor Kal Penn found the perfect way to hit back at a troll who told him he didn’t belong in America – he raised more than $300,000 (and counting) for Syrian refugees in that troll’s name.
Penn, best known for his roles as Kumar in the ‘Harold and Kumar’ film franchise and Dr Lawrence Kutner in ‘House’, campaigned for Barack Obama in the former President’s election runs in 2008 and 2012.
And the 39-year-old, born in the United States to Indian parents, launched the crowdfunding campaign in an attempt to ‘turn bigotry into love’.
To the dude who said I don't belong in America, I started a fundraising page for Syrian Refugees in your name. https://t.co/NOR5P48fBi pic.twitter.com/jtJOsK9GrU
— Kal Penn (@kalpenn) January 28, 2017
Penn, who thanked those who donated after more than $250,000 (£200,000) was raised in the first 24 hours of the campaign, has been encouraging people to support a number of other worthy causes and for those in the United States to call their Senators and make their feelings known.
He wrote in a statement:
‘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. We will turn their bigotry, along with the President’s, into love.’
Penn’s initiative comes after President Trump issued an executive order imposing a travel ban on individuals from seven countries, including Syria.
Those wishing to donate can visit Penn’s crowdfunding page here, while here is his list of ways in which people can stay involved.
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