The prominent antiwar organization, Code Pink, recognized for its vibrant pink attire and liberal stance, may be required to register under a 1938 legislation that mandates the disclosure of political activities favoring foreign bodies or governments.
This suggestion comes from a leading Senate Republican. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman, Charles Grassley, a Republican from Iowa, penned an open letter to FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi on Wednesday. In his letter, he deliberated whether Code Pink and The Peoples Forum, a socialist "incubator" based in New York, should be registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).
According to Fox News, Grassley wrote, "The Department of Justice has a duty to ensure compliance with the [FARA, which] remains a priority tool to combat adversarial foreign governments from influencing public policy and opinion in the United States."
He further emphasized that FARA is a content-neutral law that does not restrict any form of speech or activities. It merely necessitates individuals to register with the DOJ if they are acting as an agent of a foreign government or enterprise attempting to influence U.S. public policy.
Grassley's focus was primarily on China. He stated that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has spent over $400 million since 2016 to sway American politics. He also pointed out that both Code Pink and The People's Forum have connections to a wealthy U.S.-based activist from Shanghai, Neville Roy Singham, and the CCP itself.
"Mr. Singham has denied working with the Chinese government; however, in July 2023, Mr. Singham reportedly attended a Communist Party workshop about promoting the party internationally,'" Grassley wrote. He further noted that Singham shares office space and staff with the Shanghai Maku Cultural Communication Company, which aims to educate foreigners about China's global achievements. Additionally, Singham's news outlet is reportedly co-producing a YouTube show partially funded by Shanghai's propaganda department.
Code Pink, co-founded by Jodie Evans, Singhams wife, has reportedly received substantial donations from groups linked to Singham. Grassley, citing a New York Times report, highlighted Evans' criticism of the Uyghurs, who are recognized by the U.S. government as victims of human rights abuses by the Chinese government. He stated that Evans and Code Pink became staunchly pro-China after her marriage to Singham and subsequent receipt of funds linked to him.
Grassley's letter also mentioned a meeting between Code Pink and the House Select Committee on China. During this meeting, Code Pink allegedly denied evidence of forced labor in Xinjiang, a stance that aligns with China's interests. They also reportedly urged the Foreign Relations Committee to reject funding for a $1.6 billion campaign against Chinese propaganda.
The Peoples Forum, a Manhattan-based organization that operates a caf and meeting space, was also mentioned in Grassley's letter. He cited a Free Press report that identified Singham as the primary funder of the group, which organized anti-Israel protests in Times Square following the Hamas terror attacks on October 7, 2023.
Grassley quoted a tweet from The Peoples Forum responding to allegations of receiving "dark money." The tweet acknowledged their connection to Singham, a self-proclaimed Marxist who donated most of his wealth to non-profits focusing on political education, culture, and internationalism.
Previously, Rep. Bruce Westerman, a Republican from Arkansas, had written to The Peoples Forum demanding explanations for alleged ties to the pro-Palestinian mass-vandalism protest at Washington-Union Station and the broader "Shut-It-Down-4-Palestine movement" nationwide.
Grassley concluded his statement by saying, "Evidence suggests that The Peoples Forum and Code Pink have been funded and influenced by Mr. Singham and the Communist Chinese government, both of which are foreign principals." He added that these groups have engaged in political activities that directly advance the interests of the Communist Chinese government.
Grassley called on Bondi and Patel to review any interactions between these groups and the DOJ, and to assess their eligibility under FARA. He warned that secretive foreign lobbying and public relations campaigns by China and other adversaries undermine the political will and interests of the American people.
Fox News Digital attempted to contact Code Pink and The Peoples Forum, as well as two emails listed for Singham, but received no response.
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