The leader of the radical activist group that inspired 2020’s deadly Black Lives Matter riots to target anti-Israel protesters at Columbia University has been accused of spending “many years” in his career in the socialist haven of Cuba. The Post revealed that he was the instigator.
Manolo de los Santos, 35, a leader of the Midtown-based nonprofit People’s Forum (TPF), came to the Bronx from his native Dominican Republic when he was 5 years old and started protesting on the streets of New York City. I have built a career promoting this. York City.
He first visited Cuba in 2006 and had previously traveled there in March to demand an end to the U.S. blockade of the socialist country, which has been in place since 1962.
As TPF’s executive director and de facto spokesperson (a role he has held since 2018, according to his Facebook page), the author, organizer, and speaker is known for making offensive public statements and He is also known for his enthusiastic support of left-wing causes.
Mr. de los Santos declined to speak to the Post when approached outside his Hell’s Kitchen home on Monday, but he has done so in the last year alone. praised Hamas The October 7th terrorist attack was described as “heroic” and a “heroic” attack on Israel.erased from history” and enthusiastically welcomed the impending “defeat” of the “American Empire.”
He has been a defender of Cuba for many years; The first time I visited was when I was a teenager. He was active with a progressive religious organization called Pastors for Peace, where he later became based.many years”
When de los Santos isn’t denouncing “American hegemony” from the shores of Cuba, he’s causing trouble throughout the Big Apple, participating in numerous destructive street protests and using inflammatory anti-Israel rhetoric. He gave a provocative speech.
“When we deal the final blow to destroy Israel, when the state of Israel is finally destroyed and erased from history, it will be the end of capitalism and imperialism in our lifetimes,” de los Santos said. “It will be the most important blow we can deliver to destroy it.” In front of a cheering crowd in January Popular videos now.
His comments were so vicious that South Bronx Rep. Richie Torres (D-N.Y.) denounced the speech as “Nazi rhetoric” and suggested that the philanthropy arm direct funds to TPF. It called on Goldman Sachs to sever ties with the organization. It also has ties to the Chinese Communist Party.
“Thousands of Israelis have been slaughtered, maimed, mutilated, abducted, raped and tortured at the brutal hands of Hamas,” Torres said, referring to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. wrote.
“[Hamas] “The People’s Forum has been caught espousing the kind of genocidal ideology that it has been promoting as ‘The Final Shot’, which bears a striking resemblance to Nazi rhetoric about the ‘Final Solution,'” he continued. .
Shortly after, de los Santos wrote a defiant message on the TPF website, stating: refused to apologize And he dismissed the media’s labeling of his words as hate speech as “a propaganda trick by those who advocate genocide.”
Less than two weeks later, on January 27, de los Santos reported that hundreds of anti-Israel demonstrators descended on Manhattan, partially blocking the Brooklyn Bridge and “flooding” JFK Airport in Queens.
In between marching in the streets and denouncing the evils of capitalism, de los Santos uses his extensive social media presence (including X’s more than 31,000 followers) to criticize the actions of terrorist organizations. He posts glorious photos of Hamas members with pious messages praising them.
de los Santos on October 7, the day Hamas launched a bloody terrorist attack against Israel, killing more than 1,200 men, women and children. Shared Hamas propaganda video It shows terrorist paratroopers preparing for a dastardly attack on the Jewish homeland.
Weeks later, as fighting intensified in Gaza, he said: I posted an image Hamas fighters raise automatic rifles during a celebration.
“Victory to those who resist Zionism! Victory to those who fight as bombs fall in Gaza! Victory to those who protect their people from Israeli war crimes! Unite, march and act in solidarity with the Palestinians.” Victory for all! Resistance until victory! Palestine will win!” he wrote alongside the image.
“If you want my comment, please email me,” de los Santos said when approached by a Post reporter on the street Monday.
The Post immediately emailed him a series of questions but did not receive a response.
