Anti-Immigrant Protests in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, one prominent organization leading anti-immigrant protests is a taxpayer-funded activist group with connections to the Democratic Party. Another group involved has links to the Chinese Communist Party.
The Coalition for Human Immigration Rights of Los Angeles (Chirla) received significant government funding—totaling tens of millions of dollars—during the Biden administration. Recently, they organized a rally to criticize Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), specifically targeting those convicted of violent crimes.
Following this rally, protests erupted across the streets, with over a thousand demonstrators confronting immigration officials, vandalizing property, and even slashing tires. The Department of Homeland Security has advised President Trump to deploy around 2,000 National Guard troops to help manage the unrest.
Financial records indicate that Chirla obtained nearly $34 million in government grants, mainly from California, for the fiscal year ending in June 2023. This funding has raised eyebrows given the group’s involvement in recent protests.
Additionally, another organization, which is intertwined with radical elements, received about $450,000 from Citizenship Education and Training grants from DHS within the same timeframe. This is especially concerning since it was the federal agency being protested against. Furthermore, ties between federal agencies and this group have been reduced, and some funding was halted in March, including nearly $101,000 that remains unpaid.
A spokesperson for Chirla firmly denied any involvement in the violence during the protests, emphasizing their non-participation apart from the press conference and subsequent legal observations at immigration facilities.
Former ICE chief Tom Homan indicated that federal enforcement had resumed a crackdown on illegal immigration similar to past efforts, citing around 150 arrests and rising tension due to riots.
Another player in the recent protests is the Marxist Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), known for past anti-Israel demonstrations and allegedly linked to a former DC terrorist. PSL has received significant funding from leftist billionaire Neville Singham, who has ties to the Chinese Communist Party.
Singham’s financial connections to various global nonprofits have been reported, with scrutiny on how his wealth supports socialist movements.
PSL did not respond to requests for comments over the weekend.
It was noted that the protests followed ICE’s attempts to carry out immigration sweeps, prompting demonstrators to gather in opposition.
On Saturday, more than a dozen arrests were reported during clashes between federal agents and protesters who were trying to thwart arrests near a Home Depot in Paramount, California. Visuals from the chaos reveal large groups confronting authorities wearing riot gear.
In a back-and-forth with California Governor Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass condemned the federal agents’ actions, accusing them of instilling fear in local communities and undermining core city values.
In a statement, Newsom criticized the federal government’s military-like deployment, claiming it only serves to escalate tensions in California.
In response, President Trump addressed Newsom and Bass, asserting that if they fail to act, the federal government will intervene to resolve the issue.
