Apollo Global Management, a major acquisition firm, is advising its staff to work from home on Friday due to anticipated protests at its New York City headquarters. CEO Mark Rowan reportedly supports President Trump’s efforts against what he calls “woke politics” on college campuses.
In the past few days, around 1,000 employees at Apollo’s office on 9 West 57th Street received notifications encouraging them to stay home to avoid potential unrest linked to long-planned demonstrations.
The recent swearing-in of a new mayor, who has not spoken out against protestors using phrases like “River to Sea” and “Israel does not exist,” raises concerns about future tensions in the city.
With growing security measures implemented downtown following a mass shooting at Blackstone, another private equity firm, there’s a sense that protests against major corporations, including Apollo, are likely to increase, especially given Mayor-elect Zoran Mamdani’s ties to far-left groups.
An Apollo spokesperson did not provide any comments regarding the situation, and attempts to reach Congressional Professional Staff were unsuccessful.
A source familiar with Apollo mentioned that building security is on high alert, anticipating large crowds, and that the NYPD has been notified. Notably, a new city law requires uniformed officers to remain responsive to protests, barring escalation into violence.
This individual remarked that Apollo is uncertain whether the gathering will attract a few people or many. Other businesses located in the same building are advising similar precautions to their employees.
An activist organization, the Professional Staff Congress, has announced plans to protest against Mark Rowan, primarily discontented with his recent appointment as an advisor to the Trump administration’s Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education. This initiative aims to offer “preferential” federal funding to universities shifting away from leftist ideologies.
Rowan noted in a recent statement that the university system is in a state of disrepair, asserting that “talented domestic students and academics are being sidelined by international students” when it comes to opportunities.
He expressed concerns that current college environments are dividing faculty and administrators, leading to a culture hostile to students with differing viewpoints.
The Compact seeks to tackle discrimination and harassment, promoting free debate and restricting organized political stances unrelated to a university’s core mission.
Some universities contend that the agreement limits academic freedom. The Professional Staff Congress, representing 30,000 faculty members at City University of New York (CUNY), released a statement highlighting their objectives, which include enhancing conditions for members and ensuring educational quality at the nation’s largest urban public university.
Rowan, who has a net worth of approximately $6 billion, has positioned himself as a leading voice against left-wing influences in academic settings, particularly regarding anti-Semitic protests that followed recent events in October.
His criticism has also targeted his alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania, resulting in the resignations of key officials, with Rowan alleging the institution has tolerated protests promoting violence and endangering Jewish students.
