Legal told us to be careful about this, since we don’t want to disparage anyone going about their perfectly legal activities. There is, however, a great deal happening in that corner of our vibrant multi-trillion-dollar economy.

Section Leader Miles thinks we need a clearer understanding of how the many red lines weave through a normal business day here in Washington, D.C. We are also required to note that the Socotra House Creative Section contains no lawyers nor certified financial specialists, so our Unpaid Voluntary Commentary is offered strictly for entertainment purposes only.

Once that is said, we are free to offer private opinions without incurring liability to Socotra House Publications, LLC.
And the Flat Yank is free.

See how the lines can blur?

The matter came to a head as protests over the ICE shooting in Minneapolis spread nationwide. We marveled at the professionally produced displays appearing on some protest signs—many of them surfacing simultaneously in multiple cities, suggesting centralized planning.

Melissa sent the Gen-Z crew to check the coffee ships around George Mason University, where another protest—this time over student loans—was being organized by two groups concerned with ICE enforcement and Palestinian rights in the West Bank.

Which is what led us to the business card that opens this installment of the Budget Battle.

Adam Swart is open, direct, and entirely legitimate. He founded Crowds on Demand in 2012, a Beverly Hills–based publicity and marketing firm that specializes in providing hired crowds for various purposes. As of January 2026, he is widely recognized as a pioneer in what is sometimes called the “supporter-for-hire” industry.

This may be one of those inflection points in the messaging business. Some are technical. Others are organizational.

In his 1959 farewell address, President Dwight Eisenhower warned of a Military-Industrial Complex—a durable embrace between Congress, industry, and defense spending. Today, we may be witnessing the emergence of something new: a professional protestor class, operating within First Amendment protections up to the point where public order intervenes.

According to publicly available descriptions, services in this sector can include:

Political demonstrators, creating the appearance of grassroots support or opposition (often labeled “astroturfing”)

Celebrity experiences, including staged paparazzi, fans, or security

Corporate advocacy, such as PR stunts, product launches, or litigation-related pressure campaigns

Virtual services, including phone-banking, mass emailing, and letter-writing efforts directed at lawmakers

This month, Swart publicly stated that his firm would not participate in anti-ICE protests in Minneapolis, warning that such tactics can backfire by increasing federal enforcement. He also reported a 400% increase in inquiries for hired protestors in Washington, D.C., and noted that he declined a proposed $20 million contract related to anti-administration activity.

He is not alone in the field. Other firms operate internationally, including Crowds for Rent, UK-based Rent a Crowd, and Easycrowd, a Ukrainian company.

Last Saturday’s anti-ICE protest in New York was organized by PSL New York City, affiliated with the Party for Socialism and Liberation. Public records show that organizations in this political ecosystem may receive funding from a wide range of lawful donors, including large philanthropic foundations. Legal advised us not to speculate further, as such funding can be entirely legitimate and properly disclosed.

What is clear is scale.

In 2023, the Open Society Foundations reported $1.7 billion in total expenses across seven regions and ten thematic areas, including nearly $50 million allocated to Middle East and North Africa programs.

Legal reminds us: do not ascribe meaning where none is proven.

We simply thank Adam Swart for lifting one corner of the curtain on how a new Professional Protestor Class operates in plain sight.

Splash laughed across his mug of Flat Yank coffee.
“Yeah,” he said. “The PP’s.”

© 2026 Vic Socotra

www.vicsocotra.com