Citing limited “time, money and effort,” the Women’s March in Chicago organization has canceled its 2019 march.
This development comes amid accusations of anti-Semitism within leadership of the national movement, such as their connections to Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan.
The event was scheduled to take place on Jan. 19, the date marches are expected to be held nationwide for the third consecutive year in protest of U.S. President Donald Trump and his policies.
The Chicago chapter last year issued a rebuke of the national Women’s March, saying it “rejects Minister Louis Farrakhan’s anti-Semitic and anti-LGBTQ views,” and that “no universe exists in which it is acceptable to support anti-Semitic statements.”
Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam are based in the Chicago area.
During his annual “Saviour’s Day” speech this year, attended by Women’s March leader Tamika Mallory, he labeled “powerful Jews” as an “enemy.”
Those involved with the Women’s March in Chicago condemned his remarks: “As an additional point of clarification, and as many of you already know, Women’s March Chicago is not now and never has been affiliated with Women’s March Inc. We receive ZERO funding or organizational support from them and share NO common leadership.”