Senator Hawley investigates California group for alleged funding of LA protests
Senator Josh Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, has initiated an investigation into a left-wing group based in California that he suspects may be providing financial support to violent protests in Los Angeles. In a letter addressed to the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), Hawley expressed concerns about the organization’s potential involvement in funding and organizing what he described as “coordinated” protests and riots in the city.
Hawley took to social media to announce his investigation, questioning who is behind the funding of the unrest in Los Angeles. He emphasized that the violence seen in the city is not spontaneous and suggested that there may be external forces at play driving the chaos.
The letter directed to CHIRLA’s Executive Director, Angelica Salas, highlighted reports suggesting that the organization has provided logistical support and financial resources to individuals participating in disruptive activities. Hawley firmly stated that bankrolling civil unrest is not protected speech but rather aiding and abetting criminal behavior, calling for an immediate cessation of any involvement in such unlawful activities.
Furthermore, the letter requested CHIRLA to provide internal communications related to protest planning and funding, as well as financial documents, including third-party contracts and vendor agreements. Additionally, Hawley sought travel records for individuals associated with the organization to determine if they have been reimbursed by CHIRLA, along with the organization’s donor lists.
IRS records obtained by Fox News revealed that CHIRLA has received substantial government grants totaling $34 million, including funds from the Biden administration. Despite facing funding cuts from former President Donald Trump, the organization continues to receive state and city grants to support its legal efforts against deportations.
One of CHIRLA’s notable initiatives is the Rapid Response Network, which operates a hotline for immigrants to report ICE raids and receive text alerts to evade enforcement actions. The organization has also been credited with creating a phone network to warn illegal immigrants of impending ICE operations.
In response to Trump’s claims that professional agitators are behind the unrest in Los Angeles, California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the President’s remarks as a dangerous step towards authoritarianism. Newsom stressed the importance of upholding democratic values and unity in the face of escalating tensions.
As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen how CHIRLA will respond to the allegations and whether any concrete evidence of their involvement in financing violent protests will surface. The scrutiny surrounding the organization underscores the complexity of political activism and the challenges of distinguishing between legitimate advocacy and unlawful behavior in times of social unrest.
