Jodie Evans, wife of tech entrepreneur Neville Roy Singham, led a coordinated anti-Israel protest through Midtown Manhattan on Thursday, following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to the United Nations. The demonstration was organized by the People’s Forum Inc. and other groups within a network that Singham has funded, even as federal prosecutors investigate the tycoon for alleged financial crimes. Evans, a co-founder of CodePink, marched alongside activists from the Revolutionary Communists of America and the Democratic Socialists of America.
The Justice Department’s U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York has opened a grand jury investigation into Singham and his associated organizations for alleged money laundering, bank fraud, and wire fraud. Singham and the nonprofits he funds have not been charged with any crimes. The protest featured pre-made signs, field marshals, portable sound equipment, and a stage, highlighting the logistical infrastructure behind the demonstration.
What the Right Is Saying
Critics on the right characterize the Singham network as a vehicle for Chinese Communist Party influence within American political discourse. Congressional lawmakers and federal officials have described these groups as "Trojan horses" for China, arguing that they promote anti-American and antisemitic agendas. The presence of chants supporting the intifada and protests against U.S. tech infrastructure is cited by critics as evidence of a broader ideological alignment with regimes opposed to Western democratic values.
Conservative commentators note the irony of a wealthy tech entrepreneur funding protests that often target American capitalism and foreign policy alliances. The detailed logistics observed by Fox News Digital, including paid staff and coordinated media production, are presented by critics as evidence that these are not spontaneous grassroots movements but professionally managed campaigns designed to shape public opinion. The arrest of actress Susan Sarandon for blocking traffic was highlighted by some right-leaning observers as indicative of the disruptive tactics employed by the network.
What the Left Is Saying
Protesters and organizers framed the demonstration as a necessary response to Israeli military actions and a show of solidarity with Palestinian civilians. Jodie Evans, who has long been a leader in anti-war activism, emphasized the need to challenge what she and other organizers describe as U.S. complicity in the conflict. Activists from Jewish Voice for Peace, a group that has advocated for replacing Israel with a single state called "Palestine," joined the march, arguing that the current political landscape ignores Palestinian rights.
Medea Benjamin, co-founder of CodePink, and actress Cynthia Nixon were among the participants, reinforcing the perspective that grassroots mobilization is essential to counter government foreign policy. The chant "Long live the intifada," led by members of the Revolutionary Communists of America, reflected a broader left-wing view that views the intifada as a legitimate form of resistance. Organizers stated that the coordinated nature of the protest was a feature of effective community organizing, not a sign of external manipulation.
What the Numbers Show
Since his marriage to Evans in 2017 and the sale of his technology firm ThoughtWorks, Neville Roy Singham has directed $285 million to various nonprofits and media organizations. The Thursday demonstration lasted four hours and involved a structured operation with field marshals, pre-made banners, and rolling carts for equipment. The protest route covered Fifth Avenue and First Avenue, with police arresting demonstrators for blocking traffic. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York is currently reviewing financial records related to the network’s funding sources and expenditures.
The network includes organizations such as the People’s Forum, BreakThrough News, the Party for Socialism and Liberation, and the Palestinian Youth Movement. These groups have previously organized similar protests in Austin and other cities, often focusing on issues ranging from immigration enforcement to opposition against data centers and artificial intelligence. The consistent presence of similar signage and equipment across different events suggests a centralized logistical pipeline funded by the Singham network.
The Bottom Line
The intersection of a high-profile street protest and a federal financial investigation underscores the growing scrutiny of political activism funded by foreign-born entrepreneurs. While organizers maintain their movement is driven by moral and political convictions, federal authorities are examining whether the financial structures supporting these groups comply with U.S. anti-money laundering laws. The outcome of the grand jury investigation will likely influence future legal and political debates regarding the role of private funding in American protest movements and foreign policy advocacy.