Money makes the world go round, including for the left-wing protesters gathering to demonstrate (and more) when the Republicans arrive in New York City this week.
Raging against the machine requires some heavy bankrolling, and the fatter coffers of the anti-establishment crowd are easing the strain of battle.And many of the groups planning protests here during the Republican National Convention next week stand to benefit directly from the blossoming wealth of well-funded, anti-status quo forces.
Such wealth among the so-called counterculture is dwarfed by the billion-dollar megaphones used by the two major political parties, of course. But multimillion-dollar groups such as Pacifica and the American Civil Liberties Union are every bit as politically formidable as a midsized political action committee or a D.C. lobbying firm.
It's the earnest image that often throws the public off.
"Many of these groups are portrayed as ragtag groups, but it turns out that many are heavily financed by people like [billionaire financier] George Soros and the Tides Foundation," says David Martosko, research director for the Center for Consumer Freedom, a nonprofit coalition of restaurants, food companies and citizens advocating consumer choice.
The center also operates a Web site, activistcash.com, that tracks the finances of a number of foundations, nonprofits and government agencies.
"Much of this money comes from nearly 600 big philanthropies that have a net worth well over $30 billion," Mr. Martosko said. "And every year, around 5 percent of that wealth gets passed around to the groups who do these protests."
Related:
• ActivistCash.com profiles a variety of "anti-consumer" groups and their supporters.
• Blogs of War frequently tracks the, well, unusual activities and statements of leftie activists.