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An investigation is currently being conducted to identify who is financing the anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) riots that are causing disruptions in Los Angeles and other major U.S. cities. This follows a revelation from a significant company that it had received requests for assistance.
Crowds on Demand, a California-based company known for arranging on-demand crowds for protests, informed Fox News Digital that it had received “numerous high budget requests” to engage in the anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles and other cities, but it chose to decline involvement.
A spokesperson for the company stated that the decision to refrain from participating in the events in Los Angeles was made because they “did not wish to be involved in any form of illegal activity, including violence, vandalism, or blocking roads without a permit.”
“We receive inquiries regarding practically every major social cause imaginable, and the anti-ICE demonstrations are no exception,” the company said. “The fact that we receive requests does not mean we take them, in many cases, because the budget does not match the ambition.”
“The NGO known as CHIRLA was centrally involved in the LA riots. The organization, which has previously sponsored a campaign to abolish ICE, alerted the rioters to where ICE operations were occurring in real time. The agitators would then show up and disrupt ICE activities, including through the use of violence,” Kiley said.
“This group is a major campaign contributor to Gavin Newsom and has received $34 million in state funding. An investigation is absolutely appropriate and necessary.”
IRS records obtained by Fox News show CHIRLA has received $34 million in government grants, including three from former President Joe Biden’s administration for $750,000.
The Million Voter Project, which received a portion of these funds and opposed Newsom’s recall, has also supported anti-ICE protests, according to records.
It is not clear whether either group funded any protest activity, and there is no evidence that they supported rioting.
“It is absolutely absurd that either myself or the governor would be supportive in any way, shape or form to the vandalism and the violence that has taken place in our city,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass told CNN in an interview Tuesday.
“I have been abundantly clear that what is happening on our streets is unacceptable. Looting is criminal behavior. People will be arrested and prosecuted. I don’t believe anybody who vandalizes the city supports immigrants.”
Bass’ office told Fox News Digital she also set a curfew in downtown Los Angeles to “curb bad actors who do not support the immigrant community.”
“Law enforcement will arrest individuals who break the curfew, and you will be prosecuted,” Bass vowed.
Fox News Digital reached out to CHIRLA and Newsom’s office for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
Fox News Digital’s Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report.
Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com
