The Hidden Network Behind Campus Protests: What Columbia Students Need to Know
CCP funded Anarchist group encouraged protesters to re-create 'The Summer of 2020' Hours Before Students Stormed a Building
Recent events at Columbia have drawn national attention, but what many students might not know is the organized network operating behind the scenes of campus demonstrations. A recent investigation by the Washington Free Beacon has revealed concerning details about external organizations actively coordinating and encouraging the escalation of campus protests.
Peoples Forum Anarchists encourage Columbia University students to occupy a campus building, Hamilton Hall.
The People's Forum: More Than Meets the Eye
Hours before Hamilton Hall was stormed on Monday night, a meeting was taking place at the People's Forum, a Manhattan nonprofit that describes itself as "a movement incubator for working class and marginalized communities." According to reporting by Joseph Simonson of the Free Beacon, more than 100 activists gathered there to plan their next moves.
The timing is crucial:
Meeting scheduled for 6:45 PM Monday
Delayed specifically to allow Columbia protesters to attend
Concluded at 9:30 PM after "break out sessions" on "resistance"
Hours later, Hamilton Hall windows were smashed and the building was occupied
Following the Money
The People's Forum's operations are notably funded by a $12 million donation from Goldman Sachs's charitable arm. The source of these funds has been traced to Neville Roy Singham, described as:
A communist who "long admired Maoism"
An American businessman currently residing in China
Someone who reportedly helps finance Chinese Communist Party propaganda worldwide, according to the New York Times
During the meeting, People's Forum executive director Manolo De Los Santos made several notable statements:
Called to "give Joe Biden a hot summer"
Urged making it "untenable for the politics of usual to take place in this country"
Praised students for choosing "resistance" over "negotiations"
Made inflammatory comments about Columbia administrators
The involvement of external organizations in campus protests raises serious questions about their nonprofit status. According to IRS guidelines, charities may lose their status if they:
Engage in "planned activities that violate laws"
"Induce the commission of crime"
As members of the Columbia community, it's crucial to understand:
The current protests aren't entirely organic student movements
External organizations are actively working to escalate situations on campus
These organizations have significant financial backing and broader political agendas
Their actions may put students at risk while they themselves face little consequence
While every student has the right to protest and express their views, it's essential to understand when external actors might be attempting to use student activism for broader political purposes. The revelation that outside organizations are actively coordinating and encouraging escalation should give us pause.
Before participating in protests or demonstrations, consider:
Who is organizing the event?
What are their ultimate goals?
Are they prioritizing student welfare and education, or pursuing broader political objectives?
What are the potential consequences for your academic future?
As Columbia works to navigate this challenging period, students should remain aware of these external influences while making their own informed decisions about participation in campus activities. The university's primary mission remains education and academic excellence - values that shouldn't be compromised by external agendas.
Sources: This article is based on reporting by Joseph Simonson in the Washington Free Beacon, on May 1, 2024.