Chicago Nonprofit Hosts Controversial Summer Camp Focused on Anti-Trump Protests
A Chicago-based nonprofit, funded by taxpayers, is running a summer camp that spans ten days, dedicated to teaching various protest tactics against former President Donald Trump. The camp includes activities such as what they term “queer magic,” framing it as a form of resistance.
Joint Prosperity, which is affiliated with the Public Media Research Institute (PMI), organizes the “Subversion Summer Camp” from July 17-27. The camp brings together artists, activists, educators, and other creatives. According to the program, participants can expect signs likening the Trump administration to Nazis and a unique retelling of Peter Pan. There’s even a planned discussion about “the suppression of rebellions,” as captured in camp footage.
This initiative exemplifies how taxpayer funds are channeled into nonprofits pursuing left-leaning political agendas. Since 2020, PMI has received over $320,000 in government grants. Despite multiple requests for comments, the group has not responded.
On July 19, a workshop titled “Police Disarming: Protests and Direct Action Tactics” encourages participants to “do what you want to do,” emphasizing minimal police interference. The camp’s agenda also contains strong endorsements of socialism, including an event titled “Why American Marxism is Needed?” and a workshop where revolutionaries envision a future without billionaires.
Another session on July 20 focuses on the history of Cold War influences in Latin America, analyzing how rebellions have been suppressed. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), a federal agency, has allocated $20,000 to PMI since 2020, part of a broader conversation about government spending and bureaucracy. The Trump administration previously sought to eliminate the NEA, citing a desire for efficiency in federal spending.
While the NEA has not commented on this issue, the camp’s schedule invites participants to explore creative protest forms. It presents a stark portrayal of Trump, comparing him to Hitler and suggesting that his administration’s actions resemble those of the Nazis. This is underscored by phrases like “humans are not illegal,” emphasizing the ongoing debates over immigration policy.
The camp also encourages attendees to witness a peculiar reinterpretation of Peter Pan, with plans to engage in collective rituals that promote connection and creative empowerment.
As the Trump administration continues to push for cuts to funding for programs that support left-wing ideologies, there are ongoing tensions between public media and government initiatives, highlighting the complexities of funding in today’s politically charged environment.
