Supporters of Harper’s Magazine pledged $50,000 in a few short days through a Facebook Causes page. Last night, the group revealed that the publisher would not accept the donations.
Here’s more from the Save Harper’s Magazine site: “This afternoon, your generous pledges of more than $50,000 were rejected by lawyers representing our publisher, John R. ‘Rick’ MacArthur. Sadly, he will give no ground on the layoffs, which he intends to see happen before contract negotiations can proceed. Having offered—last week, and again today—numerous other ways to reduce costs and avoid cutting experienced staff, we are deeply disappointed in this outcome, but we are truly touched that so many of you (more than 800!) pledged so much in just a few short days.”
Last week, we wrote about this independent Facebook movement that aimed to raise funds for the magazine. 84 Harper’s Magazine writers and friends signed an open letter to the publisher supporting the unionization of the magazine’s staff and urging the publisher not to cut two editors. The publisher has since defended his actions in another letter. (Via Sarah Weinman)