Organizers Decide Not To Hold Chicago Women's March 2019

CHICAGO — The group Women's March Chicago has decided not to hold a Jan. 19 rally in Grant Park, citing costs and time constraints. The decision comes amid accusations of anti-Semitism against national Women's March leadership, however the local group has not confirmed whether that was a contributing factor behind the decision.

"Because WMC put so much time, money, energy and effort into our October event, we will NOT be marching again in January," the group posted to its Facebook page.

The group's March to the Polls event on Oct. 13 drew more than 100,000 people to Grant Park.

Women's March Chicago said that while they aren't organizing the rally, other action would be held in the city. A March for Unity will be held at Federal Plaza at 11 a.m.

The first Chicago Women's March in January 2017 drew more than 250,000 people.

While some people thanked organizers in Facebook comments for their effort putting together the October rally, other people said they were disappointed that the march wasn't being organized in the country's third largest city.

The national women's march leaders have come under fire for their ties to Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, who has made several anti-Semitic comments. In February, Farrakhan praised March leader Tamika Mallory in a speech, in which he also said, "the powerful Jews are my enemy."

The national women's group was criticized for waiting too long to denounce the comments, and many have called for the group's leaders to step down.

Women's March Chicago distanced itself from the national group.

"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," the group wrote on their Facebook page earlier this month.

The local group's clarification follows a statement posted in March denouncing Farrakhan's comments.

“No universe exists in which it is acceptable to support anti-Semitic statements. Women's March Chicago condemns bigotry in all its forms. We reject Minister Louis Farrakhan's anti-Semitic and anti-LGBTQ views. Our work is to fight against social and racial injustice everywhere, no matter its source,” Women’s March Chicago wrote.

National co-chair Linda Sarsour defended herself and Mallory last month.

"We are being stripped of our agency when every few months we are asked to condemn the Minister about words that we did not say, nonetheless the words of a man who did not consult us on his words.”

Marches and rallies are still planned for Jan. 19 in cities across the country. Participating cities in Illinois include Rockford, New Lenox and Woodstock.

Image by Steve Wyatt, provided.