Full Breakdown
Pro-Regime Protests Erupt Following U.S.-Israel Attack on Iran
2/28/2026, 9:11:25 PM
Rapid Mobilization of Protests
On February 28, 2023, shortly before President Donald Trump announced U.S. military operations against Iran, a network of U.S. nonprofits aligned with China, Russia, and Iran quickly mobilized protests across the United States. At 2:34 a.m. ET, the ANSWER Coalition, a group with Marxist affiliations, declared an "EMERGENCY NATIONWIDE DAY OF ACTION" against the military actions, framing them as an "unprovoked, illegal bombing of Iran." This announcement was made just ten minutes before Trump confirmed the attack at 2:44 a.m.
The People's Forum, a New York-based activist hub funded by Neville Roy Singham, also issued a call to action for a protest in Times Square at 2:52 a.m., emphasizing the need to oppose U.S. military intervention. The rapid response from these organizations highlights their preparedness to counter U.S. actions in real-time.
Messaging and Coordination
The messaging from these groups mirrored narratives often promoted by the Chinese Communist Party, portraying the U.S. as an imperial power. The People's Forum stated, "This war serves no one but a tiny elite and oil executives," linking the military action to broader geopolitical conflicts, including the situation in Palestine. This coalition has a history of mobilizing during significant national security incidents, including protests in support of Nicolás Maduro following his arrest by U.S. authorities.
By 4:31 a.m., BreakThrough News, another organization funded by Singham, promoted the protests as "BREAKING" news, indicating a coordinated effort to amplify anti-U.S. sentiments. The groups involved, including the Party for Socialism and Liberation and CodePink, have previously united under similar banners, such as "Hands Off Iran," showcasing a consistent narrative against U.S. foreign policy.
Protests Spread Nationwide
As the day progressed, the protest infrastructure expanded significantly. By 11 a.m., demonstrations had spread to 16 cities, including Chicago, Washington, D.C., and multiple locations in California and North Carolina. Local chapters of the ANSWER Coalition and the Party for Socialism and Liberation were actively engaged, utilizing social media to circulate graphics and mobilize participants.
The protests were characterized by their alignment with pro-regime sentiments in Iran, as the rhetoric used by the protesters echoed calls for the defense of Iran's "sovereignty" and "territorial integrity." This alignment was further emphasized by a statement from China's Foreign Ministry, which called for an end to the strikes on Iran.
Official Statements & Responses
The U.S. government has not yet commented on the protests or the alleged U.S. strike on a school that was circulated by BreakThrough News. Critics of the nonprofit network have raised concerns about their funding sources and connections to foreign entities, suggesting that these organizations serve to undermine U.S. interests.
Criticism & Opposition
Opponents of the mobilization have criticized these nonprofits for allegedly sowing chaos and promoting narratives that align with adversarial foreign powers. The State Department has previously highlighted concerns regarding the influence of organizations like CodePink and the People's Forum, accusing them of whitewashing the actions of authoritarian regimes while receiving funding from networks linked to the Chinese Communist Party.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This war serves no one but a tiny elite and oil executives and is a continuation of more than two years of genocide in Palestine and US-Israeli aggressions throughout the region,” — People's Forum
- “EMERGENCY NATIONWIDE DAY OF ACTION TODAY, SAT. FEB 28 — STOP THE WAR WITH IRAN!” — ANSWER Coalition
- “BREAKING” news regarding the protests was circulated by BreakThrough News, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. — BreakThrough News
This coordinated response from a network of nonprofits illustrates the complexities of domestic protests in the context of international conflicts, raising questions about the influence of foreign funding on U.S. civil society.
