Is George Soros Funding Riots Planned on November 4th?
Is George Soros funding riots planned on November 4 in America? That’s the claim by several web sites on the alt-right end of the political spectrum. We’ll analyze what we know, and how strong—if any—financial and logistical ties can be traced back to Soros-connected groups.
The claim first surfaced in an October 20, 2017 piece penned by the Conservative Review. In it, they attempt to link Soros as a main financial backer for a consortium of groups led by Refuse Fascism. The article describes Refuse Fascism as a “big-tent movement from ‘many different points of view’ that is looking out for the best interests of America.” (Source: “Nov 4 ‘Refuse Fascism’ Occupy redux funded by Soros, Marxist orgs,” Conservative Review, October 20, 2017.)
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Predictably, this narrative is being co-opted by many of the outfits on the alt-right.
Now, there’s no question that widespread civil disobedience is being planned for November 4. That fact isn’t disputed (although there’s no evidence that a riot is being planned). The Refuse Fascism web site provides a copious amount of promo materials plugging a “Call For Action” to “Drive Out the Trump/Pence Regime!” Other affiliated groups have followed suit.
In a high-profile promotional stunt, Refuse Fascism activists in downtown Los Angeles stopped rush hour traffic for 30 minutes on the 101 freeway. The activists held individual placards, which collectively read: “NOV 4 IT BEGINS.” Banners displayed nearby read “This Nightmare Must End: The Trump/Pence Regime Must Go!”
(Source: “LIVE!! Protestors On Freeway,” NoBSMedia Facebook page, September 6, 2017.)
For their efforts, all eight protesters were arrested by the California Highway Patrol. While the activists weren’t risking felony charges, it does provide some evidence of the determination that this group carries to disseminate their message.
Next, I examine whether this is a grassroots effort from left-leaning citizens, or whether George Soros funding is indeed involved.
November 4 “Refuse Fascism” Funded by Soros?
Much of the Refuse Fascism Soros connection stems from an address where the organization collects donations.
A page on the Refuse Fascism web site prompts supporters to donate via check to the following address: “RefuseFascism.org at 305 West Broadway #185, New York, NY 10013.” That also happens to be the contact address of The World Can’t Wait. The donation page also says to make the checks out to Alliance For Global Justice (AFGJ). (Sources: “Donate!,” Refuse Fascism, last accessed October 26, 2017; “Contact,” The World Can’t Wait, last accessed October 26, 2017.)
A quick scan of AFGJ’s “Fiscally Sponsored Projects” page lists The World Can’t Wait as one of the groups that it sponsors. (Source: “AfGJ’s Fiscally Sponsored Projects,” Alliance For Global Justice, last accessed October 26, 2017.)
According to 2012 data from Capital Research Center, AFGJ had received grants from George Soros’s Open Society Institute (now called Open Society Foundations), to the tune of $100,000 since 2004. (Source: “Cheering on Chaos: George Soros Prepares for the Troubles Ahead,” Capital Research Center, March 1, 2012.)
So the link between Soros and Refuse Fascism appears to be an indirect one, via the third-party AFGJ. It is unclear how much money Refuse Fascism has received from AFGJ in total, or how effective the organization would be without logistical support from AFGJ. But the evidence supports the claim that George Soros is funding their operations, at least indirectly.
November 4 “Refuse Fascism” Funded by Soros?
Digging further into the treasure trove of information known as the Internet, more Soros fingerprints appear on the glass.
According to its most recent 990 tax form, AFGJ received more than $2.2 million in funding for the fiscal year ending in March 2016. If we peruse down to page 21 under the “Schedule of Contributor” section, the second donor on the list is none other than the Tides Foundation. According to the form, the Tides Foundation contributed $50,000 to AFCJ last year. (Source: “Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax,” Alliance For Global Justice Corp, August 2, 2016.)
Again, this would provide further evidence of indirect Soros involvement via third-party funding.
Discoverthenetworks.org provides evidence of Soros contributing to the Tides Foundation. As recently as 2014, they claim that Soros “has donated more than $7 million to Tides over the years.” (Source: “Tides Foundation And Tides Center,” Discoverthenetworks.org, last accessed October 26, 2017.)
Tides describes itself as “a philanthropic partner and nonprofit accelerator dedicated to building a world of shared prosperity and social justice.” (Source: “Daring Change,” Tides, last accessed October 26, 2017.)
Organizations Funded by George Soros
The laundry list of Soros-funded groups is long. Currently, there are over 200 groups on the list. Below, we capture 10 of the most-known outfits, along with a brief description of each.
| Organization Name | Description |
| Amnesty International |
Documents and campaigns to stop human rights violations worldwide.
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| Brooking Institute |
Pro-globalist think tank advocates for expanded role in world cooperation.
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| Emily’s List |
Raises money for female Democratic Party candidates who support unfettered access to abortion-on-demand funded by taxpayers.
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| Health Care for America Now |
Advocates for a “single payer” healthcare program in which the federal government would control the financing and administration of the whole U.S. healthcare system.
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| Human Rights Watch |
Focuses on opposing the death penalty and supports open borders and amnesty for illegal aliens.
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| Media Matters for America |
Non-profit progressive research and information center seeks to “systematically monitor a cross-section of print, broadcast, cable, radio, and Internet media outlets for conservative misinformation.”
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| Moveon.org |
Supports Democratic Party causes through advertising, fundraising, and voter initiatives.
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| NAACP |
Racial minority legal defense and education fund that is one of the biggest proponents of affirmative action programs.
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| Southern Poverty Law Center |
Monitors the activities of what it calls “hate groups” in the United States.
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| Think Progress |
Provides counterweight opinions against conservative thought and values; pushes a progressive agenda.
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(Source: “206 U.S. organizations funded by George Soros,” Fellowship of the Minds, April 11, 2017.)
How Much Money Does George Soros Have?
George Soros is one of the richest people in the world. He was recently ranked by Forbes as number 22 on its list of the world’s richest people. The publication pegged his net worth at $20.0 billion, but his true wealth likely stands beyond that point. (Source: “George Soros (#22 on World Billionaires List),” Forbes, last accessed October 26, 2017.)
Recently, Soros has allocated most of his wealth to his Open Societies Foundation. The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times both reported that Soros will move as much as $18.0 billion to the foundation, in portions staggered over several years. All of this money will find its way to left-leaning and progressive causes.
Our Verdict
Is George Soros funding riots Planned On November 4? Maybe. Perhaps a better answer is not directly. The money isn’t coming from right from Soros; rather, it is through third-party groups, which he funds. Further, the organization behind the November 4 event says it is merely planning a protest, not a riot.
How much Soros is involved behind the scene with any given cause is up for debate. But, given his known progressive leanings and vociferous opposition to Donald Trump, Soros probably has more than a passing awareness of the activities of the groups to which he donates.
