[BitwiseFool]

I also see it as a chicken and egg problem. Do we fault a 'grassroots' movement for becoming big enough to get donor money? Or do we fault a 'grassroots' movement because it was launched by donor money?

In any event, big money just seems like a necessary evil for any impactful social/political movement, sadly.

[unholythree]

Was there big money donors for the 60’s civil rights movement? I don’t think it had billionaire backing but I might be mistaken.

[j_walter]

Billionaires no...but he did fundraise for his movement and put all of the money he got for his noble prize into it as well. Lets not confuse the 60's civil rights movement with anything going on today though...there is a lot more shadow money with today's activist movements on both sides of the political spectrum.