The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) expressed deep disappointment with the members of Detroit City Council and local clergy who met with and embraced the antisemitic and racist leader of the Nation of Islam, Louis Farrakhan, during his visit to the city last week.
During his visit to Detroit, Farrakhan was invited by Rev. Wendell Anthony, President of the Detroit Branch of the NAACP, to address the Fellowship Chapel on May 17. His speech, which was attended by U.S. Rep. John Conyers and Detroit City Councilmember JoAnn Watson, among other prominent city leaders, invoked hateful antisemitic canards and open racism.
According to the ADL, so far, none of the leaders present during those remarks have publicly condemned Minister Farrakhan’s antisemitic rhetoric, and several have even praised him.
“Although we acknowledge the significant challenges that Detroit faces, providing a platform to an individual with a long history of promoting antisemitism and racism is not the solution,” said Heidi Budaj, ADL Detroit Regional Director. “It is deeply disappointing that so many Detroit leaders are apparently so willing to turn a blind eye to Farrakhan’s antisemitism. Where are the voices in our community who are willing to stand up and say no to racism and antisemitism?”
During his speech to the congregation at The Fellowship Chapel in Detroit, Minister Farrakhan spewed hateful antisemitic invective, referring to “Satanic Jews” and the “Synagogue of Satan” controlling major institutions. He expressed his love for President Barack Obama, but added that the president “surrounded himself with Satan…members of the Jewish community.”