Who's Funding Zohran Mamdani's Campaign?

A political group, "We the People, America For All", has been heavily investing in Zohran Mamdani, the leading candidate in the New York City mayoral race. The group has spent over $36,000 on video billboards promoting Mamdani's plan to offer free bus rides for all city residents.

Funding and Connections

The primary financial backer of this group is "The Truth Project", led by Abed Awad, a New Jersey-based lawyer. Awad also oversees the funds for "We the People, America For All".

Awad is affiliated with the Palestinian-American Community Center, which hosted a significant event in April. During this event, Wisam Rafeedie, a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), delivered a speech. The PFLP is notorious for acts such as plane hijackings and violence against civilians.

The center has also supported Rafeedie's book sales and invited other PFLP members to speak at their events. The U.S. and other countries designate the PFLP as a terrorist organization, and it played a role in the 2023 attack on Israel.

Political Implications

Some extremism watchdogs suggest that the ads promoting Mamdani's bus plan are a strategy for fringe groups to gain mainstream acceptance. They argue that these groups leverage popular policies to expand their influence.

"We the People, America For All" is also linked to the "Uncommitted" movement, which discouraged Arab-Americans from voting for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in the last election due to their stance on Israel.

Awad's son and Mo Maraqa co-founded "The Truth Project". Maraqa also worked with the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee during the election. Some Democrats hold the "Uncommitted" movement partly responsible for Harris losing key states to President Trump.

Transparency and Denials

The group has not disclosed the source of the funds for the ads but claims to have complied with all regulations. Both Awad and Maraqa deny any ties to the PFLP and reject support for terrorism.