It’s the same old financial game, just with a different twist.
In Minnesota, the recent protests against ICE might look like a grassroots movement of concerned citizens, but they’re actually fueled by substantial donations, including some from China.
Approximately 15,000 activists rallied in snowy Minneapolis on Friday, chanting “ICE out now” and calling for an end to federal immigration enforcement.
This protest, while portrayed as a spontaneous outpouring from the community, featured a mix of familiar activists and fringe internet personas. It’s become a recurring theme in demonstrations during Trump’s presidency.
These organizers connect through radical forums and encrypted messaging, backed by funds from a charitable foundation linked to a left-wing billionaire.
According to Scott Walter, an expert on dark money and president of Capital Research, the Neville Singham network is notably active in Minnesota. “It’s arguably one of the most extreme networks out there,” he remarked, although he added they aren’t acting alone.
Walter specifically mentioned two groups, the People’s Forum and the Party for Socialism and Liberation, both supported by Singham, a former software executive now based in China.
These organizations have played a key role in promoting the “ICE Out” movement, which is organized by another faction known as 50501, through social media. Walter noted that while these participants are becoming more integrated into larger crowds lately, they have previously operated in more isolated ways.
It’s unusual—and somewhat concerning—that extreme communist groups are aligning with mainstream labor unions like the American Federation of Teachers, according to Walter.
“This is a new, disturbing trend for many of us,” he expressed. “Typically, those groups wouldn’t find themselves in public spaces together.”
Attempts to reach Singham for comment were unsuccessful, but his influence on leftist activism appears considerable, orchestrated from Shanghai and involved in various protests nationwide.
“They collaborate through this complex network. The average protester likely doesn’t fully grasp Singham’s operations but might connect with various allied groups,” Walter explained.
Investigations by the House Oversight Committee and other Republicans are underway to determine if Singham’s contributions constitute foreign interference or potential violations related to the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).
Ian Oxnevado, a senior foreign policy analyst, pointed out an intriguing observation: “Have you noticed that pro-Palestinian and anti-ICE protests don’t coincide? If there were true organization, we’d see them happening simultaneously.”
He further claimed that large-scale protests against the current situation in Iran, where unrest has resulted in significant civilian casualties, are notably absent. “It’s baffling how specific causes consistently align against Western actions,” he added.
The recent protests fell under the umbrella of the 50501 network, which remains mostly under the radar.
The 50501 initiative lists various nonprofit partners on its website, including the Ford Foundation-funded Voice of Florida, a pro-abortion group led by marginalized individuals.
The Ford Foundation itself, established by Henry Ford, seeks to tackle inequality and promote social justice, having donated significantly to various causes.
Walter asserted that mainstream media often misportrays these occasions as mere expressions of outrage from average citizens when they are actually orchestrated by leaders of multiple smaller groups.
Prominent activist organizations such as Indivisible, funded by George Soros’ Open Society Foundations, have also been heavily involved in Minnesota’s protests since civil unrest began last year.
Sunrise Movement, known for its environmental activism, has drawn at least $2 million from the Arabella Network, among other funding sources, since 2016.
As for Indivisible, it has benefited from a combination of funding, including vast donations from Soros’ network and others.
Local group Unidos Minnesota and its affiliate Monarcha are key players in various demonstrations across the Twin Cities. An earlier investigation revealed they also receive grants from organizations like the Arabella Network and others.
According to Walter, groups often use different names and funding sources to remain difficult to trace, creating a fog of vagueness around their operations.
“The mainstream media is quite happy to paint this as a simple rally of outraged citizens, but the coordination behind these events reveals a much more complex reality,” he noted.
The 50501 network, represented by an anonymous figure known as u/Evolved_Fungi, claims to have organized multiple protests since Trump’s second inauguration in January 2025.
Although details about the group are scant, they assert they are a decentralized response to what they perceive as authoritarian actions from the Trump administration.
In the past year alone, they have taken credit for numerous demonstrations in response to various issues.
Experts suggest the financial backing for these protests over the years signals a growing panic among the political left in response to Trump’s policies, which differ starkly from the typical Republican approach of merely stalling progressive initiatives.
The Ford Foundation and Open Society Foundations did not respond to inquiries for comment.
As for u/Evolved_Fungi, little is known beyond a marketing and engineering background, and a strong interest in psychology. This individual has been mentioned as a participant in the anti-male circumcision movement.
One user shared, “People really seemed to need something to rally around. Seeing everyone trying to figure things out was uplifting. It felt awesome to be part of it.”
However, without more solid proof, we can only take the claims at face value.
