In a recent uncovering, it has come to light that the protests in lower Manhattan following the apprehension of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro were supported by organizations financed by Neville Roy Singham. Singham, a 71-year-old American tech millionaire residing in Shanghai, has been linked to a network of activist groups in the United States, with substantial financial contributions exceeding $100 million.
The demonstrations, which appeared to be expressions of grassroots opposition to U.S. involvement in Venezuela, were in fact organized by groups funded by Singham, known for his "anti-imperialist" advocacy. Joel Finkelstein, a researcher at Princeton University, has closely examined Singham's financial connections to these organizations, which include the People’s Forum, ANSWER Coalition, BreakThrough Media television network, and the Tricontinental think tank.
Singham's funding has not been limited to Venezuelan matters; the same groups have previously coordinated pro-Palestinian demonstrations, without condemning violence against Israeli civilians. In response to a fatal shooting by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis, the People's Forum, one of the Singham-funded entities, posted a social media statement linking the incident to Maduro's capture and calling to action against oppression.
Singham, who sold his software company ThoughtWorks for $758 million in 2017, is married to Jodie Evans, co-founder of the feminist anti-war group Code Pink. The New York Times has described Singham as orchestrating a "global web of Chinese propaganda," maintaining office space in Shanghai and engaging with high-level events hosted by the Chinese Communist Party.
Following the New York Times report, there has been increased congressional scrutiny. Marco Rubio, then vice-chair of the Senate intelligence committee, requested an investigation into Singham's connections to the Chinese government. James Comer, chair of the House Oversight committee, also urged the Treasury Secretary to consider citing Singham under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, highlighting China's strategy of sowing discord within foreign nations.
Despite the allegations, Singham has denied any coordination with Beijing or any political party, asserting his actions are guided by personal beliefs. Political consultant Jason Curtis Anderson has suggested that the protest movements funded by Singham are part of a larger strategy to influence American society.
The intertwining of Singham's support with foreign interests is evident, as Manolo De Los Santos, head of the People’s Forum, has been actively involved with the Maduro regime. The implications of such financial backing raise concerns over the independence of these activist movements and the potential for foreign interference in domestic affairs.
