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Fact check: Who funds major protest movements in Los Angeles?
Checked on June 16, 2025
1. Summary of the results
The funding of major protest movements in Los Angeles comes from multiple verified sources:
- Government funding through CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles), which received $34 million in government contracts in 2023, up from $12.4 million in 2022 [1]
- The Singham Network, connected to Shanghai-based businessman Neville Roy Singham, who has documented ties to the Chinese Communist Party [2] [3]
- The Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), which has international political network connections [1]
- Multiple government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and California state agencies [1]
2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints
Several important contextual elements need to be considered:
- The protests were specifically triggered by ICE raids on June 6, 2025 [4]
- The FBI has been investigating monetary connections behind the riots [5]
- The significant increase in CHIRLA's government funding (from $12.4M to $34M) between 2022 and 2023 deserves attention [1]
3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement
There are several common misconceptions and biases regarding protest funding:
- Claims about wealthy donors like George Soros orchestrating protests have been definitively debunked as misinformation [6]
- Viral social media posts about "planted bricks" were proven to be false, using images from a Malaysian building materials company [6]
- Such conspiracy theories are noted to be recurring patterns during periods of civil unrest [6]
Who benefits from different narratives:
- Government agencies benefit from emphasizing their support through legitimate channels like CHIRLA
- Anti-protest groups benefit from pushing conspiracy theories about wealthy donors and foreign interference
- Pro-democracy groups benefit from downplaying any potential foreign influence
- Media organizations benefit from both legitimate investigative reporting and sensationalized conspiracy theories, depending on their editorial stance
Want to dive deeper?
What role do labor unions play in organizing Los Angeles protests?
How do grassroots organizations in LA raise money for demonstrations?
Which political action committees support activist movements in Los Angeles?
What is the difference between organic and astroturfed protest movements in major cities?
How do social media platforms influence protest organization and funding in Los Angeles?