Protesters gathered in Times Square in New York City to oppose U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, with some expressing support for the Ayatollah and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard. The demonstration followed months of rising tensions, failed nuclear negotiations, and concerns that Iran’s nuclear program posed an imminent threat. President Donald Trump and Israeli leaders have said the goal of the strikes was to stop Iran’s ability to build a nuclear weapon.

During a live report, anchor Leland Vittert introduced the segment by saying, "So all those who are waving Palestinian flags are now waving Iranian flags."

He added, "Protesters who oppose the US and Israeli strikes on Iran took to the streets of New York City."

Vittert continued, "They seem to be in support of the Ayatollah and the Iranian or Islamic Revolutionary Guard."

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Turning to the correspondent on the ground, he said, "Our correspondent right now is out in the streets of New York. Lia Lando joins us from the protest. Good evening Lia."

Lia Lando reported from Times Square and said, "Yes. Leland that was several hours ago."

She explained, "Dozens of people came here to Times Square to protest these strikes against Iran."

Lando said, "They're calling them illegal."

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She noted, "That protest lasting about an hour now."

Addressing the organizers, she said, "Who was behind it? Well, it's a group called the People's forum."

Lando added, "If you've heard about that before, it's because you've heard us talk about them."

She continued, "They also are linked to other protests on college campuses, anti ice protests as well."

Lando identified a figure connected to the group, saying, "Specifically a man named Neville Roy Singham, a former US tech mogul who allegedly has close ties to the Chinese Communist Party."

She stated, "Again, that group that organized the protest at the People's forum allegedly funded by Neville Roy Singham and his wife."

Lando reported, "News nation learned he is an American billionaire living in Shanghai."

She referenced a previous report, saying, "Back in January, we told you congressional investigators were looking into whether he was funding anti ice protests across the US at the direction of the Chinese Communist Party."

Lando cited documentation, saying, "A September 2025, Ways and Means, letter citing 20 million in funding from Singham and his wife to the people's forum."

She added, "Singham sold his consulting company in 2017 for just under a billion dollars."

Describing the protesters’ position, Lando said, "The People's forum protesters today calling the US and Israel strikes on Iran, an unprovoked illegal bombing campaign."

She clarified, "Adding quote, this was all on X that they posted this."

According to Lando, the group said, "This was, serves a no one but a tiny elite and oil executives, and is a continuation of genocide in Palestine and US Israeli aggressions through the region."

She then summarized the broader context: "The US and Israel launching the attack after months of rising tensions, failed nuclear negotiations and concerns that Tyrone's nuclear program posed an imminent threat."

Lando noted, "President Trump and Israeli leaders said that the goal is to stop Iran's ability to build a nuclear weapon."

Returning to conditions on the ground, she said, "Now back here, live in Times Square, the protests wrapped up."

She added, "Police officers told me it was largely peaceful."

Describing the crowd, Lando said, "They came in, they did their thing, and then they left."

She concluded, "It lasted just under an hour, but New York City on high alert."

Lando stated, "Officials here saying that there are increased patrols."

She added, "It's sensitive areas."

And she said authorities are "asking everyone to be on alert, and if they see something suspicious, to report it, Leland."

Vittert responded by saying, "Yeah, it's amazing."

He concluded, "The progressives who say they care about the Iranian people were oddly silent when the regime was killing 35,000 of them."

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