The pro-Palestinian demonstrations taking place around the country have the support of a multi-millionaire couple. They are Neville Roy Singham, and his wife, Jodie Evans. They made their fortune in the technology sector. Since 2017 they have donated more than $20 million to the foundation that organized violent demonstrations such as the one on November 15.
The People's Forum is one of the large organizations that has been asking for people to take to the streets and protest in support of Palestine and to condemn Israel. Since the Hamas attacks on October 7, this leftist organization based in Manhattan has rallied its followers to the streets.
🚨🇵🇸FRIDAY! Shut It Down for Palestine!
➡️NYC: Join us for direct actions during the 11/17 #ShutitDown4Palestine international day of action.
📲Text “join to +1 (530) 358-9542 to receive meet-up details and location
NO BUSINESS AS USUAL DURING GENOCIDE! pic.twitter.com/3S7Nud8900
— The People's Forum (@PeoplesForumNYC) November 15, 2023
The People's Forum describes itself as a "movement incubator for working class and marginalized communities to build unity across historical lines of division at home and abroad." On its website, you can see the seminars and events it organizes which promote a socialist ideology.
The association was founded in 2017 and since then it has received a large amount of funding, most of it from the Singham-Evans couple. According to bank data analyzed by The Free Press, from 2017 to 2022, the Singham-Evans couple donated $20.4 million to the foundation. Their fortune comes from the sale of their company Thoughtworks. The software consulting company they founded in 1993 was sold for $785 million in 2017.
‼️ONLY 4 DAYS AWAY‼️
🇵🇸From Florida to Kentucky to Puerto Rico, people from all over will be converging in DC for the National March on Washington to Free Palestine!
📍Freedom Plaza, Washington DC
📅Sat, Nov 4 @ 2pmThis will be a massive, historic event! See you in DC! pic.twitter.com/5JAko2ALnz
— ANSWER Coalition (@answercoalition) October 31, 2023
The donations were made through a series of proxies and fictitious organizations, according to The Free Press investigation. Their donations made up virtually all of The People's Forum's funding. Since its founding in 2017, the organization has been based in a building located just a few blocks from Times Square. It has at least 13 employees and has assets valued at $13.6 million, according to The Free Press.
U.S. Capital Police in Riot Gear have finally arrived at the Headquarters for the Democratic National Committee in Washington, D.C. where Pro-Palestinian and Hamas Supporters are still trying to Fight with Police Officers in order to enter the Building and Block the Roadways in… pic.twitter.com/IyYreusefU
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) November 16, 2023
A key role in the protests
The People's Forum plays a key role in organizing demonstrations against Israel and in support of Palestine, especially in New York. Since the attack against Israel on October 7, the foundation has not only not condemned the Hamas attack, but it has gone as far as to defend Palestine.
Before October 7, the organization did not focus so much on the Palestinian issue. However, since the massacre in Israel, its messages have focused almost exclusively on Palestine. On the same day, October 7, they posted messages of support to Palestine and on October 8, they organized the first demonstration in New York.
We stand with the Palestinian People and defend their right to resist apartheid and oppression!
Cut all US aid to the Zionist occupation! pic.twitter.com/dcEQ1lSitb
— The People's Forum (@PeoplesForumNYC) October 7, 2023
Ties with communist China
The organization's activism is directly linked to that of its funders. Singham and Evans are supporters of Xi Jinping's regime in China. According to the analysis, Neville Roy Singham currently lives in Shanghai and has a close relationship with the Chinese Communist Party.
Singham has a strong past with Marxist activism. When he was younger, he joined the Revolutionary League of Black Workers. Later, he joined the Chrysler production plant in Chicago. In 1974, Singham was investigated by the FBI as "potentially dangerous due to his background, emotional instabilities, or activity in groups engaged in activities hostile to the United States."
Republican Senator from Florida, Marco Rubio, sent a letter to Merrick Garland at the Department of Justice asking him to investigate Singham again for these connections with the Chinese government.
Thousands have taken to the streets in New York City in solidarity with Palestinian struggle!
🇵🇸 FROM THE RIVER TO THE SEA, #PALESTINE WILL BE FREE! pic.twitter.com/6AIC6R42z3
— The People's Forum (@PeoplesForumNYC) October 8, 2023