Schism leads to dueling women's march events in NYC

NEW YORK (AP) — Conflicts over control, inclusivity and alleged anti-Semitism will mean that women protesting on the second anniversary of the Women's March on Washington are faced with competing demonstrations this weekend in New York City.

One procession, around the edge of Central Park and down Sixth Avenue, is being organized by the Women's March Alliance, a nonprofit group whose leaders are putting on their version of the demonstration for the third straight year.

Another event, a downtown rally held at roughly the same time Saturday, is being organized by the New York City chapter of Women's March Inc., the group formed to help organize the 2017 demonstration in Washington, D.C., the day after President Donald Trump's inauguration.

Talks between organizers aimed at linking the groups in New York didn't go anywhere, the reasons varying between overstepping and indifference depending on who's asked. And hanging overhead that has been a controversy playing out nationwide of concerns related to race and religion.

Women's March Inc. co-leader Tamika Mallory, who is black, has come under her fire from Jewish groups for her support of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, who is known partly for his anti-Semitic rhetoric and condemnations of homosexuality.

The criticism dates back months but got additional attention after Mallory appeared Monday on ABC's "The View" and, while disavowing Farrakhan's language, wouldn't condemn him when confronted by hosts Meghan McCain and Sunny Hostin.

Some Jewish groups have pulled support for Women's March Inc. A Washington state chapter disbanded in protest. In November, Teresa Shook, the Hawaiian woman whose viral Facebook post is credited with launching the original Women's March, called on Mallory and her co-chairwomen Linda Sarsour, Carmen Perez and Bob Bland to resign.

"They have allowed anti-Semitism, anti- LBGTQIA sentiment and hateful, racist rhetoric to become a part of the platform by their refusal to separate themselves from groups that espouse these racist, hateful beliefs," she wrote.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Sarsour acknowledged "valid criticism" the organization had been "delayed in our unequivocal response in denouncing anti-Semitism." But she said it was part of the growth process in building a movement comprised of many different groups of people. "We believe in this movement."