The recent anti-Israel protests at Columbia University were reportedly spurred by a radical activist group that encouraged protesters to emulate the violent Black Lives Matter riots of 2020. The People’s Forum, a nonprofit organization in New York City, held a meeting where around 100 activists were encouraged by executive director Manolo De Los Santos to deliver a “final blow to destroy Israel” and make it difficult for the current political system in the country to operate. This call to action was made in the context of Columbia University’s supposed “Zionist” administration and a desire to be more like Israel’s government.
The protests culminated in the storming of Hamilton Hall on Columbia’s campus, where protesters broke doors and windows, blockaded entrances, and hung a sign that read “intifada” from a window. The NYPD was called in by university President Minouche Shafik to handle the situation, resulting in the arrest of 44 people, including two university staff members and 13 individuals not affiliated with Columbia. Mayor Eric Adams expressed concern over the presence of outside agitators who were escalating the situation by training students in unlawful protest tactics.
The People’s Forum, the organization believed to have influenced the protesters, is primarily funded by American businessman Neville Roy Singham. The group claims to be a movement incubator for working class and marginalized communities but has been involved in multiple anti-Israel protests in the city since Hamas’ terror attack on Israel. The organization has received more than $12 million in donations, although Goldman Sachs, through which the donations were funneled, has disavowed any connection to The People’s Forum and stated that its contributions come from clients’ funds, not the bank itself.
South Bronx Representative Ritchie Torres has urged Goldman Sachs to sever ties with The People’s Forum after a video surfaced showing De Los Santos making inflammatory remarks about Israel. If The People’s Forum is found to have engaged in activities that violate laws or induce the commission of a crime, it could risk losing its tax-exempt status as a nonprofit organization. The group has not responded to requests for comment on these allegations.
The involvement of outside agitators in the anti-Israel protests at Columbia University has raised concerns about the influence of radical activist groups on student protests and demonstrations. The protests were reportedly encouraged by The People’s Forum, which has been linked to violent and unlawful protest tactics. The NYPD and Mayor Eric Adams have indicated that individuals unaffiliated with the university were involved in escalating the demonstrations, leading to the arrests of multiple people, including staff members and outsiders. The situation highlights the complexity and potential dangers of outside influences on student activism and protests.
