The political landscape of New York City is facing scrutiny as a leading mayoral candidate, Zohran Mamdani, receives significant campaign support from a political action committee with controversial ties. The PAC, named We the People, America For All, has expended upwards of $36,000 on video billboard advertisements championing Mamdani's initiative to eliminate fares for city buses, according to city campaign finance records.
The financial trail leads to The Truth Project, the PAC's primary donor, spearheaded by New Jersey attorney Abed Awad. Awad is a prominent figure within the Palestinian-American Community Center in Clifton, New Jersey, where he holds a treasurer position for the PAC. The center itself has come under intense scrutiny following its annual conference in April, which featured a livestream from Wisam Rafeedie, a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). This group, based in Syria and designated as a terrorist organization, was involved in the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel and has a history of violent acts, including the infamous 1972 attack on Israeli airport passengers.
Analysts from the Network Contagion Research Center (NCRI), including senior advisor Alex Goldenberg, have expressed concerns that the PAC's advertisements, which focus on the popular proposal of free bus fares, may be part of an entryist strategy. This tactic allows fringe groups to gain a foothold in mainstream politics by aligning themselves with widely accepted, uncontroversial issues, potentially masking their true intentions.
Further complicating the issue, the PAC has connections to the "Uncommitted" movement, which caused a significant rift within the Democratic Party in 2024. Abed Awad played a role in this campaign, which discouraged Arab-Americans from supporting the Democratic ticket of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris due to their stance on Israel. His son, Ahmad Awad, was an "Uncommitted" delegate at the Democratic National Convention and is among the founding trustees of The Truth Project.
The Truth Project's co-founder, Washington D.C. consultant Mohammed "Mo" Maraqa, has a history of involvement in political digital strategy, having worked with the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee during the 2024 election cycle. Maraqa and Awad have denied any personal association with the PFLP or its affiliates, and Awad has insisted that all organizations follow city and state regulations, denying any financial or governance involvement with the PAC.
As the mayoral race intensifies, the PAC continues to promote Mamdani's platform, although questions persist regarding the influence of organizations with ties to groups linked to terrorism in local politics. This unfolding story highlights the complexities and potential risks of political funding in an era where local elections can be influenced by international issues and affiliations.
