The Business of Paid Protests: A Closer Look

In a recent interview, the head of a company that organizes paid protesters shared some surprising insights. Adam Swart, the CEO of Crowds on Demand, revealed that his business has seen a huge increase in requests this year. Compared to the same time last year, there's been a 400% jump in demand for paid protesters. So, how much do these protesters earn? Swart didn't give exact numbers, but he mentioned that pay can vary. Factors like location, duration, and even the weather can affect how much someone gets paid. For example, protesting in cold weather or early in the morning might earn someone a bit more. Swart's company doesn't just organize protests. They also handle rallies, flash mobs, and even PR stunts. He emphasized that their protesters are peaceful and law-abiding. Their goal is to persuade, not to cause trouble. When asked if protesters genuinely believe in the causes they're paid to support, Swart had an interesting take. He argued that people might protest for different reasons. Some might be passionate about the cause, while others might just be there for the paycheck. Swart also clarified that his company works with both sides of the political spectrum. He noted that the demand for paid protesters often comes from the opposition party. For instance, in liberal states, conservatives might hire his company for an outside-the-box strategy. In the end, Swart made a bold statement. He claimed that there's no such thing as a truly organic protest. Everyone has a reason for being there, whether it's for political reasons, social media attention, or compensation.