The progressive organization Onward Together, founded by Hillary Clinton, has been criticized for funding a group known for its controversial climate protests.

In a striking turn of events, Newsmax reported that Hillary Clinton’s Onward Together had funneled significant funds to a charity supporting dramatic climate protests, inciting widespread controversy.

The Origins of Onward Together

Hillary Clinton established Onward Together following her defeat in the 2016 U.S. Presidential election.

Aiming to support progressive initiatives, this nonprofit advocacy group has recently been linked to financing climate activism. Between April 2022 and March 2023, Onward Together transferred $200,000 to the Climate Emergency Fund (CEF).

The previous year saw even more substantial support, with $300,000 being donated to CEF. This funding assists groups that are known for their bold and often disruptive protest tactics.

Sponsored Protests and Public Reactions

Groups supported by CEF have been engaged in a variety of provocative actions. The group Just Stop Oil made headlines in 2022 when its members threw tomato soup on Vincent Van Gogh’s $84 million painting at London’s National Gallery. S

uch acts have sparked debates on the boundary between activism and vandalism.

Another notable incident involved the A22 Network, a collaboration between Just Stop Oil and Declare Emergency, which vandalized a display of the U.S. Constitution at the National Archives. These actions have raised questions about the legitimacy and effectiveness of such protests.

Legal Consequences and Broader Impact

Climate Defiance, another group funded by CEF and based in Washington, D.C., has seen its members arrested during protests.

The advocacy efforts and tactics of CEF-funded groups have thus not only drawn media attention but have also faced legal challenges.

Despite the controversy, CEF continues to receive support from various notable figures, including filmmakers and philanthropists like Rory Kennedy and Adam McKay, who have demonstrated the broader appeal of aggressive climate advocacy strategies.

Funding Figures and Noteworthy Donations

In its recent fiscal year, Onward Together awarded a series of grants, with the largest amounting to sums given to CEF ranging between $25,000 and $50,000.

These financial decisions underscore the organization's commitment to climate-related causes despite the contentious nature of some supported activities.

Additionally, in 2021, a PAC affiliated with U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez directed $9,000 to the CEF, highlighting political support for aggressive climate actions.

Controversy and Calls for Oversight

Concerns about the implications of these financial relationships have led to strong criticism. Daniel Turner, founder and executive director of Power the Future, expressed alarm over the funding.

"Anyone who cares about public safety and preventing vandalism should be deeply concerned that money connected to Hillary Clinton is propping up these radicalized eco-activists," he stated.

Turner further suggested that Congress investigate what he termed the "shady origins and dastardly flow of this tainted Clinton cash," indicating a broader backlash against such funding practices and their potential impacts on public and political perceptions.

Conclusion

Onward Together, established by Hillary Clinton, has significantly funded the Climate Emergency Fund, supporting groups involved in dramatic and sometimes controversial protests such as vandalizing artworks and blocking roads.

The organizations that benefited include Just Stop Oil and Climate Defiance, which are known for their bold activism. Despite such groups facing legal and public scrutiny, they continue to receive backing from various significant figures, raising debates on the effectiveness and ethics of such funding in climate activism.