Fact Check: Paid "Hands Off" Protesters are Not Unemployed

A recent wave of protests under the "Hands Off" banner has sparked debate about the employment status of its participants. Critics have long labeled these protesters as unemployed, a characterization that has left many feelings hurt.

Far from being jobless, a growing number of these individuals assert they are gainfully employed—by none other than billionaire financier George Soros.

Mandy Jenkins, a 29-year-old protester seen waving a sign outside a government building last week, clarified her role. "I’m not unemployed—I’m on the clock right now," she said.

"This gig pays better than my old barista job, and I don’t even have to clean espresso machines." Jenkins and others like her claim they are part of a professional workforce tasked with showing up at designated times and locations to voice discontent.

The job, however, comes with its own set of challenges. Protesters are expected to appear informed about the causes they champion, a requirement some find taxing.

"It’s not just standing around yelling," explained Carl Russo, a 34-year-old who joined a "Hands Off" rally in Chicago last week. "You’ve got to at least skim the talking points so you don’t look clueless when someone asks why you’re here."

Despite the preparation involved, not all protesters meet the minimum standard of familiarity. A handful of participants admitted they skipped the homework entirely.

"I didn’t even read the handout," said Tara Klein, a 25-year-old who was paid to attend a demonstration in Seattle. "They handed me a sign that said ‘No More,’ and I just went with it—$200 for three hours is $200 for three hours."

The "Hands Off" movement gained traction earlier this year amid debates over government overreach, with rallies popping up in cities nationwide. While the protests draw a mix of genuine activists and paid participants, the latter group insists their work deserves respect.

"People think it’s easy money, but try chanting for four hours straight in the rain," said Russo, who noted that Soros-funded gigs often include strict quotas for sign-waving and slogan-shouting.

Klein offered a different perspective on the gig’s demands.

"I don’t even know what we’re mad about half the time, but I’m not complaining," she said. "It beats folding jeans at the mall."

As the "Hands Off" protests continue, these paid demonstrators remain steadfast in their claim: they’re not unemployed—they’re just working a job most people don’t understand.

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