In the United States, there has been a notable increase in pro-Palestinian demonstrations, with participants advocating for the dissolution of Israel. Notably, one individual linked to funding these protests is Neville Roy Singham. Singham is known for his involvement in the controversial Indian news portal NewsClick, which garnered Chinese funding for disseminating propaganda against India and its central government.

A recent report from The Free Press disclosed that Neville Roy Singham and his wife, Jodie Evans, financially supported protests, playing a significant role in organising and sustaining pro-Palestinian, essentially pro-Hamas demonstrations in the United States. The substantial financial backing has raised concerns and prompted questions regarding the motivations and implications of such extensive support for these protests. Notably, the organisation funded by Singham initiated its support with a protest on October 8th, just a day after Hamas carried out a terrorist attack on Israel. This timing occurred while Israel was still assessing the casualties and preparing for a response, indicating Singham and his organisation’s prompt alignment with an anti-Israel narrative in the US, as reported by OpIndia.

Singham & his contributions to The People’s Forum

Neville Roy Singham is the predominant contributor to The People’s Forum (TPF). From 2017 to 2022, Singham has contributed a substantial USD 20.4 million, as outlined in public disclosure forums. Notably, Singham’s financial support forms a significant portion, nearly the entirety, of the People’s Forum’s funding.

Headquartered in Midtown Manhattan, the organisation defines itself as a “movement incubator for working-class and marginalised communities to build unity across historic lines of division at home and abroad.” Nevertheless, the financial backing from Singham and his wife has prompted apprehensions about the movement’s grassroots character and its susceptibility to external influences.

Singham’s financial prowess originates from his ties to Thoughtworks, a software consulting company he established in 1993. In a significant move, he sold the company for a staggering USD 785 million to Apax Partners in August 2017. Coinciding with this period, The People’s Forum was founded, witnessing a substantial infusion of funds into the organisation. Intriguingly, The People’s Forum’s office is just a few meters from the renowned Times Square. As of 2021, the organisation boasted 13 staff members and assets valued at USD 13.5 million.

Singham & his connection with the CCP

After selling Thoughtworks, Singham redirected his focus to “philanthropy” through financial contributions. Despite the projected image, the reality differs significantly. The 69-year-old tech entrepreneur relocated to Shanghai, establishing close ties with at least four propaganda news websites dedicated to promoting and propagating the “feel-good” image of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). A New York Times report delved into Singham’s connections with the CCP, sparking questions about potential foreign influence in US affairs, particularly fostering discord and division.

Rep. Mike Gallagher, chair of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, highlighted the broader context of Chinese influence strategies. These include using Confucius Institutes on college campuses, TikTok’s algorithmic reach, and organisations funded by Singham, aiming to undermine and weaken America. These concerns underscore the multifaceted nature of Singham’s involvement, going beyond financial support to encompass geopolitical and ideological alignments that may influence the sociopolitical landscape.

How the far-left ideology impacted Neville Roy Singham

Neville Roy Singham’s lifelong association with far-left political ideology has significantly shaped his life. Born in 1954 to a Cuban mother and a Sri Lankan father, his father, deeply engaged in political science, once advised the United Nations on Third-World development and authored influential works. Singham joined the radical Marxist League of Revolutionary Black Workers at the age of 17, actively participating in organising strikes at a Chrysler plant in Detroit. In 1974, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated his life, classifying him as “potentially dangerous,” highlighting the depth of his involvement in leftist activism during those formative years.

Despite finding success in the corporate world, Neville Roy Singham maintained his radical political beliefs. In a 2008 Fortune profile, he expressed admiration for Venezuela under Hugo Chavez and endorsed China’s economic policies as a model for capitalist economies.

Jodie Evans

After marrying Neville Roy Singham in 2017, Jodie Evans, a former Democratic political activist and co-founder of the anti-war nonprofit Code Pink, shifted her stance to become pro-China. This union marked the coming together of like-minded individuals with a shared history of left-wing activism.

Initially critical of the Chinese government’s treatment of feminists in 2015, Jodie Evans underwent a significant shift in her views towards the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) after her marriage to Singham in 2017. By 2020, she initiated the #ChinaIsNotOurEnemy campaign through Code Pink and began leading webinars that applaud China’s political structure, downplaying allegations of Uyghur oppression. This transformation sparked controversy, mainly due to her simultaneous advocacy for the rights of Muslim residents in Gaza while justifying China’s treatment of Uyghur Muslims.

Significantly, Singham shares office space with the Maku Group in Shanghai, a media company dedicated to presenting “China’s story well through innovation.” Additionally, his connections to pro-Chinese portals like NewsClick in India and the now-defunct New Frame in South Africa have prompted inquiries into his credibility. Furthermore, his association with the Chinese website Dongsheng News indicates his active involvement in shaping the narrative surrounding China’s domestic and international image.

US lawmakers have expressed apprehensions about the couple’s connections to the Chinese government. Senator Marco Rubio, in particular, has called for an investigation into their compliance with the Foreign Agents Registration Act. Nevertheless, Singham has refuted allegations of ties with the CCP, asserting that personal views drive his actions.

Amidst accusations, Singham and Evans, associated with The People’s Forum, have maintained silence. The organisation defends itself on social media, asserting that Singham, a Marxist, has contributed wealth to political education. However, lingering questions persist regarding the organisation’s autonomy and external influence on its agenda.

Manolo De Los Santos, the organisation’s executive director, aligns it with pro-China sentiments, praising China’s system on a state-owned media channel. However, De Los Santos refrains from addressing queries about the organisation’s leadership and ideology uncertainties.

Actively engaged in pro-Palestinian activism, the organisation frequently organises protests against perceived Israeli supporters. Yet, controversies surrounding financial transparency, alignment with China, and potential external influence endure. Senator Rubio’s call for an investigation highlights broader concerns about foreign impact on domestic advocacy, urging a reassessment of the intersections between activism, philanthropy, and geopolitical alignment. Despite the scrutiny, The People’s Forum remains resolute, gearing up for the upcoming “Shut It Down for Palestine” protest on November 17th.

Singham & NewsClick

The NewsClick Controversy gained prominence on August 5th when The New York Times published an in-depth article exposing the connections between an American businessman and the Chinese government, shedding light on his financial support to an Indian leftist propaganda outlet named NewsClick.

The US-based newspaper detailed how Neville Roy Singham, a millionaire, has been funding various news publications globally, including India, to propagate Chinese propaganda. The report highlighted that Singham closely collaborates with the Chinese government’s media machinery and financially backs its global propaganda efforts, operating through a complex web of nonprofit groups and shell companies.

The investigation revealed that Singham effectively disseminated Chinese government talking points, masquerading under the guise of ‘progressive advocacy’ across countries such as India, Brazil, South Africa, and the United States. Specifically focusing on India, The New York Times uncovered corporate filings indicating Singham’s network financing NewsClick, an India-based leftist propaganda outlet. The report emphasised that NewsClick had echoed Chinese government talking points in its coverage, with examples such as videos asserting, “China’s history continues to inspire the working classes.”