Actress Alyssa Milano said she would not speak at The Women’s March events unless the movement's leaders denounce Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, Atlanta Black Star reports.
The former Charmed actress said she was disappointed in Women’s March leaders Tamika Mallory and Linda Sarsour for associating with Farrakhan after he made bigoted remarks about Jewish people and LGBTQ folks.
“Any time that there is any bigotry or anti-Semitism in that respect, it needs to be called out and addressed," Milano told The Advocate in late October. "I’m disappointed in the leadership of the Women’s March that they haven’t done it adequately.”
The actress added she would refuse if the Women’s March asked her to speak at one of their events.
“I would say no at this point. Unfortunate that none of them have come forward against him at this point. Or even given a really good reason why to support them,” she said.
Mallory has faced consistent criticism after she attended the Nation’s Saviour’s Day event at which Farrakhan called Jewish people his enemy. The activist defended her attendance by stating going to the function was a matter of tradition.
"I didn't expect my presence at Saviour's Day to lead anyone to question my beliefs, especially considering that I have been going to this event regularly for over 30 years," Mallory wrote in an op-ed for News One.
"I first went with my parents when I was just a little girl and would begin attending on my own after my son's father was murdered nearly 17 years ago. In that most difficult period of my life, it was the women of the Nation of Islam who supported me, and I have always held them close to my heart for that reason."
The activist also urged people to go into “difficult spaces” for the sake of coalition building.
“Where my people are is where I must also be. I go into difficult spaces,” Mallory continued. “I attend meetings with police and legislators — the very folks so much of my protest has been directed towards. I’ve partnered and sat with countless groups, activists, religious leaders and institutions over the past 20 years. I’ve worked in prisons as well as with present and former gang members.”
Sarsour, who is Muslim, also defended Mallory’s decision.
"I don’t think these people have our best interests at heart to make us better people or to disrupt misconceptions or anti-Semitism because trashing a strong Black woman and holding her accountable for the words of a man is not the way to bring people together," Sarsour wrote on Facebook in March. "What work are we willing to do and are we willing to be open to the true idea that members of the NOI are not all anti-Semites? Are we cool with broad brushing a whole group?"
The Women’s March released a statement on Thursday condemning Farrakhan’s remarks and praising Mallory and Sarsour for their activism.
“Women’s March wouldn’t exist without the leadership of women of color, and we stand with Linda Sarsour and Tamika Mallory. Women's March leaders reject antisemitism in all its forms,” the statement reads. “We recognize the danger of hate rhetoric by public figures. We want to say emphatically that we do not support or endorse statements made by Minister Louis Farrakhan about women, Jewish and LGBTQ communities.”
Blavity has reached out for comment and will update this story once further information becomes available.
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