Shortly before President Donald Trump revealed a U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran, strange activities unfolded in the dark. A network of U.S. nonprofit groups, linked with China, Russia, and Iran, mobilized quickly, sending supporters to protest across the United States.
Funded by Neville Roy Singham, a tech entrepreneur based in Shanghai, this network seemed ready for action almost immediately after the announcement. Their rapid response represents an ongoing information war against the U.S., as activists were urged to participate in protests and spread anti-American sentiments.
At precisely 2:34 a.m. ET, the ANSWER Coalition, a nonprofit with leaders who identify as Marxist and communist, declared that February 28 would be a “National Day of Emergency Action — Stop the War with Iran!”
This coalition includes organizations that have historically backed the Iranian regime, like the National Iranian American Council and Code Pink. Interestingly, no comments were received from these groups or Singham when approached.
The response framed the military action as an “unprovoked and illegal bombing” and outlined a strategy for their messaging. They even established a website for coordinated actions.
Just ten minutes later, at 2:44 a.m., Trump posted a video confirming the military operation, stating, “Shortly ago, the U.S. military began a large-scale combat operation in Iran.”
By 2:52 a.m., the People’s Forum, another group funded by Singham as a hub for socialist movements, issued an urgent call for Times Square protests. They announced, “🚨 New York City Emergency Day of Action to Stop War with Iran: Today, February 28th, 2:00 PM in Times Square.”
This coalition operates out of the People’s Forum’s Manhattan headquarters. Their statement echoed a recent video from the Chinese Communist Party framing the U.S. as an imperial power. The People’s Forum criticized the war as benefiting only a small elite and oil executives, calling it a continuation of violence in Palestine and aggression in the region.
Such rapid mobilization from these networks has been seen before during significant national security events. They had previously rallied in support of Nicolas Maduro when he was arrested on suspicion of narcoterrorism in January.
Earlier this month, the State Department raised concerns about groups like Code Pink and the People’s Forum. They claimed these organizations undermine the U.S., downplay the violence of some regimes, and protect individuals like Maduro—all while receiving funding from networks associated with the Chinese Communist Party.
In the wake of the U.S.-Israeli actions, members of the coalition prepared protest materials, pumped out standardized messages, and coordinated media efforts, merging several campaigns into a unified front against what they termed the U.S. “empire.” This mirrors sentiments seen in pro-Iranian protests.
By 4:31 a.m., Breakthrough News, also funded by Singham, began reporting on the urgent protests as breaking news, further blurring connections within the network.
Later, Breakthrough News circulated a video of an alleged U.S. school attack, further portraying the U.S. as an aggressor. The U.S. has yet to comment on this incident.
By 9:09 a.m., the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for an end to the attacks, mirroring the rhetoric from U.S. protest infrastructure advocating for Iran’s sovereignty.
As many Americans were just waking up, the protest framework was already being set up, with social media graphics circulating. Times Square was positioned once again as a focal point for rapid mobilization, using the language of a grassroots movement against the U.S. actions in Iran.
By 11 a.m., protests were reported in 16 locations led by groups like the ANSWER Coalition and the Party for Socialism and Liberation across several U.S. cities. Chicago’s affiliated organizations issued press releases echoing the anti-American messages of their counterparts.
