The victory of Zohran Mamdani in the New York City mayoral race wasn't a spontaneous uprising of local support. It was the culmination of a meticulously orchestrated campaign, fueled by a complex network with deep roots extending far beyond the city’s borders.
At the heart of this operation was Desis Rising Up and Moving (DRUM), and its political arm, DRUM Beats. Sharing the same address and leadership, these organizations received funding from Mamdani’s campaign – a seemingly small amount that belied their pivotal role in mobilizing support.
Behind DRUM lay a tightly knit group of activists connected to Pakistan’s Haqooq-e-Khalq Party (HKP). Founded by historian Ammar Ali Jan and veteran leftist Farooq Tariq, HKP is a radical socialist movement dedicated to unifying marginalized communities under a revolutionary program.
Ammar Ali Jan wasn’t simply an observer. He actively participated in programs with groups aligned with the Chinese Communist Party, and maintained strong ties to institutions funded by a billionaire with close connections to Beijing. This placed HKP squarely within a global far-left ecosystem with significant financial backing.
HKP’s leadership directly collaborated with U.S.-based activists working on Mamdani’s campaign. Jan announced plans to create a “solidarity network” for Pakistani activists in the U.S., specifically naming three DRUM organizers as key members – individuals who actively campaigned for Mamdani.
Raza Gillani, a Pakistani journalist and HKP co-founder, became a communications specialist for DRUM, leading rallies with Mamdani himself. Mohiba Ahmed, a student and longtime HKP member, worked full-time on the campaign before returning to Pakistan to speak at HKP rallies. Zahid Ali, another founding member, was lauded by Jan for helping secure the win.
DRUM’s director openly acknowledged these connections, describing meetings with HKP leaders as “encouraging and impressive.” Meanwhile, Kazi Fouzia, DRUM’s director of organizing, oversaw ground mobilization with a striking, almost intimidating, level of influence within immigrant neighborhoods.
Fouzia’s description of DRUM’s power – “We’re like a gang. When we go to any shop, people move aside” – is unsettling, especially considering DRUM’s status as a non-profit barred from overt political campaigning. Her dual role raised serious legal questions.
DRUM and DRUM Beats didn’t operate in isolation. They co-hosted events with The People’s Forum, a militant Marxist organization that received millions of dollars from an American businessman based in Shanghai with documented ties to the CCP.
This businessman has attended CCP propaganda forums, met with high-ranking officials, and funded institutions that promote pro-Beijing narratives and downplay human rights abuses. The People’s Forum itself glorifies the Chinese revolution and offers courses steeped in CCP propaganda.
The Program on Extremism at George Washington University identified The People’s Forum as part of a network funded by this individual, engaged in activism influenced by CCP-aligned entities. This triggered congressional scrutiny and demands for investigation into potential violations of foreign agent laws.
Adding another layer to the network was the ANSWER Coalition, run by activists from the Workers World Party (WWP), a hardline Marxist-Leninist group with a history of supporting authoritarian regimes and opposing democratic movements. The FBI once described WWP as “dedicated to world revolution.”
Shut It Down for Palestine, the network behind major pro-Hamas demonstrations, is dominated by WWP and ANSWER activists, functioning as a de facto extension of the organization. This network received support from CCP-aligned donors, amplifying narratives that undermine U.S. influence.
The Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), another Marxist-Leninist organization, also played a role. PSL defends the Chinese Communist Party’s human-rights record and has justified Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Investigations are underway regarding financial support from the same individual funding The People’s Forum.
These far-left networks intersected with Islamist organizations implicated in Hamas-linked activism. Partnerships with groups like Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) were documented, with some activists having ties to Hamas-affiliated charities.
Founders of SJP and AMP previously raised funds for a Hamas-linked charity shut down by U.S. authorities. An inquiry is underway into these groups, citing evidence of leadership with past or present connections to Hamas.
Financial support also came from Islamist sources. A PAC associated with the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) donated significantly to a pro-Mamdani super-PAC, despite CAIR facing long-standing scrutiny over alleged extremist ties.
Online activity revealed a coordinated effort to boost Mamdani’s social media presence. His Instagram following surged by over 1,200 percent, with much of the activity originating from Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh – indicating coordinated foreign engagement.
The campaign also received donations from donors listing foreign addresses, many of which were later refunded after scrutiny. These instances, combined with DRUM’s nonprofit status, raise questions about unlawful political activity and potential campaign finance violations.
The mayoral campaign wasn’t simply a local election. It was a battleground shaped by a transnational network of ideological movements, extremist sympathizers, and political operatives – a nexus of influence with profound legal, ethical, and national security implications.
