On September 3, a group of activists representing a diverse section of New Yorkers, including William Donohue, assembled on the corner of 127th street and Lenox Avenue in Harlem to denounce the bigotry of Khalid Muhammad. The next day 800 people showed up at his much ballyhooed “Million Man March.”
Led by Beth Gilinsky of the Jewish Action Alliance, the press conference brought together civil rights leaders who are opposed to the inflammatory rhetoric of Khalid Muhammad. The day before the press conference, Donohue spelled out the league’s concerns:
“It is important that New Yorkers of every demographic group speak out against the hatred that Khalid Muhammad represents. His motives and actions are that of a thug. Indeed, his repeated attacks on Jews, Catholics and whites put him in a class with the most malicious elements in American society. Muhammad has far more in common with the David Dukes of this world than with the Martin Luther Kings, and that is why it is imperative that his call for hatred be challenged by those who seek amity, not enmity.”
At the press conference, Donohue said he was there “to show solidarity with my Jewish brothers and sisters” who have been the prime targets of Muhammad’s bigotry. Donohue was delighted that this year, unlike last year, New York’s African-American leaders condemned the march. The sole exception was Rev. Al Sharpton, who said nothing.
