Farrakhan Anti-Semitism Causes Controversy for Danny Davis, Women’s March Organizers

Congressman Danny Davis (D-IL) has come under fire for his connections to Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan who has once again spouted anti-semitic remarks. In an interview with The Daily Caller -- a conservative outlet -- earlier this week, Davis said that “The world is so much bigger than Farrakhan and the Jewish question,” and in a follow-up statement on March 5th, did not denounce or even mention Farrakhan. Last night, however, Davis put out a new statement clarifying his stance. “There have been attempts to question my commitment to [my] principles because I did not specifically single out the views and remarks of Minister Louis Farrakhan in that statement.  I make no exceptions to my rejection, condemnation and active opposition of hatred, bigotry and separatism. So let me be clear: I reject, condemn and oppose Minister Farrakhan’s views and remarks regarding the Jewish people and the Jewish religion.” Other members of the CBC, including Congressmen André Carson (D-IL) and Gregory Meeks (D-NY), as well as Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), have denounced Farrakhan in the past few days after being targeted by the Republican Jewish Coalition for their connections to the Minister. Similarly, organizers of the Women’s March including Tamika Mallory, Linda Sarsour, and Carmen Perez have come under scrutiny for their connections to Farrakhan. Mallory was in attendance -- and even received a shoutout from the Minister -- at a speech in February where Farrakhan declared that “the powerful Jews are my enemy.” Sarsour has collaborated previously with him, and Perez defended Farrakhan in January, saying that there are “no perfect leaders.” In a series of tweets, Mallory called the criticisms “bullying,” but did not denounce Farrakhan’s comments. Read more here.