A fundraiser supporting Lauren Mayfield is drawing thousands of dollars, but the biggest talking point is not simply how much money has come in. The organizer has made one thing clear: he does not want the University of Mississippi student to apologize over the controversial video that has placed her at the center of a growing public debate.
The campaign, called “Stand with Lauren,” was created by Tom Hennessey on GiveSendGo on November 11. It followed the circulation of Ring camera footage showing three women outside an off-campus apartment occupied by Black students. Two of the women appeared to make monkey noises and gestures as they walked past the residence, sparking widespread outrage online.
Hennessey says the donations are meant to help Mayfield cover possible lost income and professional opportunities resulting from the backlash. His campaign description takes a firm position, arguing that she should not be forced to apologize. He also claims she did not assault anyone or commit a crime.
But one condition attached to the fundraiser has made it particularly controversial. Hennessey says he reserves the right to cancel the entire campaign if Mayfield disavows his support or issues an apology. In other words, the organizer wants her to stand by her decision not to apologize, even as criticism continues to spread.
The money has also been coming in at a notable pace. GiveSendGo’s public fundraising listing showed $23,778 toward a $50,000 goal, while a separate Wednesday afternoon report put the donations above $30,000. Earlier reports gave lower figures, reflecting how quickly the campaign was changing. The original fundraising target was also reportedly raised from $10,000.
The situation has drawn further attention because another student seen in the footage, Alaina Kunes, took a different approach. Kunes issued a public apology on November 10, calling her actions insensitive, inappropriate and deeply harmful. She said she had not known the apartment residents’ race when the incident happened and had apologized directly to the women.
Kunes later withdrew from Ole Miss, according to reports, after the controversy and growing harassment. She also spoke about death threats against her and her family. Mayfield, meanwhile, had not issued a public apology as of the latest reports available on November 12. The fundraiser organizer’s position has made that difference between the two students an important part of the growing debate.
The University of Mississippi has opened an investigation and described the behavior in the recording as “deeply troubling, hurtful, and unacceptable.” The university has not announced a final disciplinary outcome concerning Mayfield. There is also no clear public confirmation that she requested the fundraiser or that the donations will eventually go directly to her.
The campaign has now become a separate controversy of its own. While supporters see it as a way to protect Mayfield from the financial consequences of public backlash, critics have questioned why someone involved in the incident should receive financial support. With the fundraiser still active and the university’s investigation continuing, the dispute is far from settled.