HOUSTON, Texas — A medical massage therapist who was terminated from her job following a heated confrontation with two Muslim women in a Texas grocery store has seen an outpouring of financial support from donors who view her as a victim of cancel culture.
Dasha Kilpatrick, 25, confronted the women on June 20 at an unidentified Texas store. In a video that rapidly spread online, Kilpatrick made inflammatory remarks about their faith and stated that they were not welcome, according to multiple reports of the incident.
Her employer, Massage Forest, promptly fired her after the video gained traction, stating that her actions harmed the business. Kilpatrick has since reported being doxxed and receiving death threats.
In response, activist Tom Hennessey launched a GiveSendGo fundraiser for Kilpatrick. The campaign has raised more than $211,000 from over 5,500 donors in less than four days, highlighting deep divisions in public opinion.
Support and Criticism
The story has drawn reactions across the political spectrum. U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) publicly praised Kilpatrick, framing the situation as an example of overreach against individuals expressing unpopular views.
Conversely, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Texas) condemned the incident as hate speech, calling for accountability and emphasizing that such rhetoric contributes to a hostile environment for Muslim Americans.
Kilpatrick has maintained that her comments stemmed from personal convictions, though the full, unedited context of the exchange remains subject to ongoing discussion online.
The rapid fundraising success underscores the growing use of alternative crowdfunding platforms like GiveSendGo, which often serve individuals who face professional repercussions for controversial public statements. Similar cases in recent years have shown both conservatives and liberals turning to such platforms when mainstream support dries up.
As of Wednesday morning, the fundraiser continues to climb, with comments from donors reflecting frustration over perceived double standards in workplace speech policies and cultural accommodations.
Kilpatrick has not yet issued a detailed public statement beyond details shared through the fundraiser organizers. Massage Forest has declined further comment beyond confirming the termination.
The incident adds to a string of viral public confrontations that continue to fuel debates about immigration, integration, religious expression, and the boundaries of free speech in everyday American life.
