People gather at the site where a memorial for Alex Pretti sits, as a memorial honouring Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good, who were fatally shot by federal immigration agents in separate incidents on January 24 and January 7, respectively, is held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., February 1, 2026. REUTERS/Tim Evans
(New York, New York) – A massive anti-ICE protest in Minneapolis last week is raising new questions about whether the demonstration was truly grassroots – or fueled by megadonor money, including funding allegedly linked to China.
Roughly 15,000 activists marched through the city chanting “ICE out now,” demanding an end to federal immigration enforcement. While organizers portrayed the event as a spontaneous uprising, influence experts say the protest followed a familiar pattern seen repeatedly during Donald Trump’s time in office.
Scott Walter, president of Capital Research, told the New York Post in an interview that networks tied to China-based billionaire Neville Singham were among those most active in Minnesota, alongside other well-funded left-wing activist groups. Singham-backed organizations have previously promoted similar demonstrations across the U.S., often operating through overlapping groups designed to obscure funding sources.
Experts also pointed to the presence of major progressive foundations and unions marching alongside far-left splinter groups – a shift they describe as increasingly common and troubling. Republican lawmakers are now investigating whether some of the funding could constitute foreign influence or violations of federal law.
Despite being framed as organic outrage, analysts argue the protest reflects a coordinated, well-financed movement – one that continues to re-emerge under new names, with familiar money behind it.
