'Useful Idiots': Internet outraged as California activist group revealed to be paying students $1,400 to become social justice warriors

LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA: A controversial partnership between the Long Beach Unified School District and a progressive activist group has sparked outrage and reignited debates about the role of activism in education.

The district has funneled nearly $900,000 to Californians for Justice (CFJ), a "youth-powered" non-profit that pays students a hefty sum of $1,400 each to participate in racial and social justice training programs, as per New York Post.

Long Beach Unified School District funnels funds to CFJ activist group

According to a copy of the agreement obtained by The Free Press, the contract includes $60,200 for 33 students and 10 families or parents to receive $1,400 each for their involvement in CFJ's programs.

The agreement states that it is to "provide assistance to teachers, administrators and selected students in building strategies to support cultural understanding and change." CFJ, a non-profit, boasts on its website about "training hundreds of youth of color in Long Beach to be community leaders and organizers."

The group claims to provide "leadership development opportunities throughout the school year and summer to ensure our youth leaders gain the political education and valuable organizing skills they need to lead social justice movements."

Long Beach Unified School District defends CFJ partnership

A spokesperson for the Long Beach Unified School District – the fourth-largest in California with 65,500 students – defended the partnership with CFJ. The spokesperson told The Post that the stipends of "up to $1,400 per student and family" are "internships" aimed at ensuring "equitable participation in CFJ programs, embracing diverse perspectives in education."

However, four teachers from the Long Beach district expressed severe skepticism about CFJ's work to The Free Press. The district's partnership with CFJ is not new; since December 2019, the district has paid the group nearly $2 million to work with them, according to The Free Press report.

Internet outraged upon learning about the partnership

The news of the Long Beach Unified School District's partnership with CFJ has sparked widespread outrage on social media. One X user succinctly labeled the participants as "Useful Idiots."

Another user drew parallels, commenting, "Paid 'protesters.' Just like the far-left extremists that always cause trouble in NYC." One user questioned the integrity of the initiative, stating, "If they were offering something good, they wouldn’t have to pay them!"

In a critical tone, another user remarked, "Oh look. Paid c̶r̶i̶s̶i̶s̶ ̶a̶c̶t̶o̶r̶s̶ protestors." A user challenged the authenticity of paid protests, declaring, "I don't think protests can be considered authentic if the protesters are paid."

One user highlighted the significant financial incentive offered to students, remarking, "1400 is a lot of money to give a college kid. The sad part is that they are given up their soul to the devil. I hope they will wake up in time."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.