WASHINGTON (TNND) — The FBI says it is now investigating the funding behind the anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles. Some lawmakers fear that foreign influence and ideological donations are fueling the violence, and protestors are being paid. “The FBI is investigating any and all monetary connections responsible for these riots,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement to ‘Just the News.’
Following mostly peaceful demonstrations in response to multiple immigration raids in Los Angeles last week, anti-ICE protests began erupting. Immigration officers were assaulted, vehicles burned, and businesses looted. “If you have to watch out for a burnt car, that isn’t a peaceful protest, that isn’t America. That’s anarchy,” acting ICE Director Todd Lyons told Fox News.
David Carter, who teaches criminal justice at Michigan State University, says, funding protests is not uncommon and not all are violent. But the FBI’s investigation won’t focus on the act of funding, but rather the intent behind the money given.
Funding alone is not illegal. Funding to support illegal activities would be unlawful,” Carter said.
Our researchers found two main organizations that are heavily involved in these protests. The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) receives nearly $34 million/year in government grants. Including private donations from ActBlue, a Democratic fundraising platform. Also, the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN) receives federal and California state grants, along with private funding.
President Trump addressed the riots in Fort Bragg, NC Tuesday, saying some protestors are being compensated. “They’re incompetent and they paid troublemakers, agitators, and insurrectionists,” Trump said.
A history professor at Cedarville University, Stanley Schwartz, compared what’s happened in Los Angeles to the death of George Floyd in 2020. Organic, peaceful protests, turning into organized, professional, violent ones.
The conflict from the very beginning is citizens against law enforcement. So it becomes very difficult then to tamp down a protest as it’s becoming more violent.” said Schwartz.
“Just the News’ also reports that the Party for Socialism and Liberation, which has reported ties to the Chinese Communist Party, was also involved with protests.
