[Fraud...] CHIRLA responds to potential investigation into nonprofits' involvement in L.A. protests

https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/chirla-responds-to-potential-
investigation-into-nonprofits-involvement-in-l-a-protests/

As Immigration and Customs Enforcement focuses its attention on immigrants 
and undocumented people, conservative leaders appear to be focusing on 
people and groups that help them.

During her visit to Los Angeles, Department of Homeland Security Secretary 
Kristi Noem spoke strongly against local unions and nonprofits. 

"We have the IRS here that's helping us track how these violent protesters 
are funded," she said. "What NGO is out there? What unions? What other 
individuals may be funding these violent perpetrators?"

She appeared to echo the allegations that the advocacy groups and unions 
were perpetuating unrest in downtown. Most of the protests have been 
peaceful, but looters have hit dozens of businesses in the past week. 
Also, several blocks have been tagged with profanity, leading the mayor to 
order a curfew for downtown L.A., which has tamped down on clashes between 
protesters and law enforcement.

Senator Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) threatened a criminal investigation into 
two local advocacy groups, including the Coalition for Humane Immigrant 
Rights of Los Angeles, or CHIRLA. 

"Credible reporting now suggests that your organization has provided 
logistical support and financial resources to individuals engaged in these 
disruptive actions," he said. "Let me be clear: bankrolling civil unrest 
is not protected speech. It is aiding and abetting criminal conduct."

Immigration advocates from CHIRLA pushed back against the comments from 
Hawley and Noem, saying they have done nothing illegal and they will not 
be silenced or stopped.

"I would say they're saying the most vicious lies of who we are and what 
we do," executive director Angelica Salas said. 

Last Friday, federal officials arrested labor leader David Huerta, whose 
union is part of a rapid response network to ICE activity. 

"It's not going to intimidate us from standing with our immigrant 
community by standing with our family, by demanding due process, by 
demanding there be accountability for the violation of human and civil 
rights that have occurred in our city," Salas said. 

Legal experts said the government's threat could be seen as political 
persecution. Attorney Lou Shapiro said advocates could argue in court that 
there's no good faith or probable cause to investigate them, but that 
might not be enough. 

"There is evidence of a lot of damage that the government can say 'We just 
want to get down to the bottom of it and if it's being funded by any of 
these organizations, we want to put a stop to it,'" Shapiro said. 

Meanwhile, citizen activists are continuing to lead protests and have 
released new tools, like an interactive map called "People over Papers."

Users can see updated reports of ICE activity, including locations and 
photos submitted by others. The creators said more than 2 million people 
have visited their site. 

"I have family members who are undocumented," said Celeste, one of the 
creators. "I am Latina, my family is Mexican, immigrated here from Mexico. 
There's like a pressure to continue to deliver this tool."

The founders of People over Papers started posting ICE info once President 
Trump began his second term. They said they are now getting 1,400 reports 
of activity across the country every day.


-- 
November 5, 2024 - Congratulations President Donald Trump.  We look 
forward to America being great again.

We live in a time where intelligent people are being silenced so that 
stupid people won't be offended.

Every day is an IQ test. Some pass, some, not so much.

Thank you for cleaning up the disasters of the 2008-2017, 2020-2024 Obama 
/ Biden / Harris fiascos, President Trump.

Under Barack Obama's leadership, the United States of America became the 
The World According To Garp.  Obama sold out heterosexuals for Hollywood 
queer liberal democrat donors.