New York City – On Thursday afternoon a large, pre‑planned protest marched through Midtown Manhattan after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations. The demonstration was organized by the People’s Forum Inc., a nonprofit that receives funding from technology entrepreneur Neville Roy Singham, and featured a network of affiliated groups.
Logistics and leadership
At 3:40 p.m., field marshals and volunteers gathered at the steps of the New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue. The crowd, estimated in the thousands, moved through the city with coordinated signage, megaphones, drums and a stage for speakers. Jodie Evans, Singham’s wife and co‑founder of CodePink, led the march alongside activists from the Democratic Socialists of America and other partner organizations.
Organizers distributed pre‑printed signs calling for sanctions against Israel and declaring “New York rejects Zionism.” The protest’s infrastructure – including rolling wagons, portable sound equipment and a media team – was documented in real time by a Fox News Digital investigative crew.
Groups involved
The People’s Forum received $22.4 million from Singham, according to tax filings, while CodePink received $1.33 million and BreakThrough News $1.098 million. Participants also included members of the Revolutionary Communists of America, the Party for Socialism and Liberation, the Palestinian Youth Movement and the “Shut It Down for Palestine” campaign.
Prominent activists such as actress Susan Sarandon, CodePink co‑founder Medea Benjamin and actress Cynthia Nixon were among those arrested or cited for blocking First Avenue during a sit‑in earlier in the day.
Financial background
Since his 2017 marriage to Evans and the sale of his software firm ThoughtWorks, Singham has directed roughly $285 million to nonprofits and media outlets. The People’s Forum’s staff salaries, as reported in recent IRS filings, include $78,649 for education director Layan Fuleihan and $76,249 for organizing director David Chung.
Legal context
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York has opened a grand‑jury investigation into alleged money‑laundering, bank fraud and wire fraud involving Singham and his network. To date, no charges have been filed against Singham or the organizations he funds.
Critics, including several congressional lawmakers, have labeled the network’s activities as antisemitic and as a “Trojan horse” for foreign influence. Supporters argue the protests represent legitimate free‑speech expression on a contentious foreign‑policy issue.
Public reaction
Observers noted the protest’s professional coordination, contrasting it with more spontaneous demonstrations. The same signage and equipment have appeared at other events across the country, targeting not only Israel but also policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Venezuela and Cuba.
While the protest concluded around 8:08 p.m., the visibility of the Singham‑funded network continues to shape public discourse on the Israel‑Palestine conflict and broader foreign‑policy debates.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
