Manufactured Dissent: Who's Funding the Protest Movement?

Author examines the corporate funding behind the Occupy Wall Street and other protest movements

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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In this interview, author Michel Chossudovsky discusses concerns about the Occupy Wall Street movement being funded and manipulated by corporate foundations and U.S. intelligence-linked organizations. He argues that while the grassroots protesters have genuine grievances, the movement itself is being shaped by shadowy groups with ties to the establishment, undermining its ability to truly challenge the power structures it claims to oppose.

Why it matters

Chossudovsky's analysis raises important questions about the independence and authenticity of major protest movements, suggesting they may be subject to covert influence and co-option by powerful interests. This has implications for the ability of grassroots activism to drive meaningful change against entrenched economic and political elites.

The details

Chossudovsky points to organizations like Adbusters, Anonymous, and OTPOR!/CANVAS as playing key roles in orchestrating and shaping the Occupy Wall Street movement, despite their lack of transparency about leadership and funding sources. He argues these groups have ties to U.S. intelligence and foundations like Ford, which he says have a history of supporting 'limited forms of dissent' that do not threaten elite interests. Chossudovsky also criticizes the Occupy movement for failing to directly challenge the economic policies of institutions like the IMF and World Bank, which he sees as the real drivers of the problems they protest.

  • The Occupy Wall Street website was launched in July 2011.
  • Chossudovsky was interviewed in November 2011, shortly after the Occupy Wall Street protests began.

The players

Adbusters

A Vancouver-based NGO that helped launch the Occupy Wall Street movement, but is funded by the Tides Foundation which has ties to corporate charities and U.S. intelligence.

Anonymous

A social media 'hactivist' group that was involved in promoting the Occupy Wall Street protests, but does not reveal its true leadership or funding sources.

OTPOR!/CANVAS

An organization that provided training and consulting to protest movements in Serbia, Georgia, Egypt, and elsewhere, with links to U.S. government-funded groups like the National Endowment for Democracy.

Warren Buffett

A billionaire investor who expressed support for the Occupy Wall Street movement, which Chossudovsky views with suspicion given Buffett's position as one of the world's wealthiest individuals.

Michel Chossudovsky

A Canadian economist and author who is critical of the corporate funding and manipulation behind major protest movements like Occupy Wall Street.

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What they’re saying

“You cannot organize a meaningful mass movement against the Empire and then ask the Empire to pay for your expenses.”

— Michel Chossudovsky, Author (Potent News)

“If its linked to the National Endowment for Democracy, or to Freedom House, or to the CIA, it cannot have an independent stance in challenging Wall Street.”

— Michel Chossudovsky, Author (Potent News)

The takeaway

Chossudovsky's analysis suggests that major protest movements like Occupy Wall Street, while arising from genuine grassroots grievances, may be subject to covert manipulation and co-option by powerful corporate and government interests. This raises concerns about the ability of such movements to truly challenge the status quo, and underscores the need for greater transparency and independence within activist organizations.