Activist Linda Sarsour expected to speak at UK event

Activist Linda Sarsour is expected to speak at several events in the UK this summer planned by the organisation Mend.

Muslim Engagement and Development, or Mend, is expecting to host a dozen speakers at several conferences in the UK this June.

Sarsour, who is among them, is due to speak at events in Birmingham, Manchester, London and Cardiff running from June 21 to 24.

Sarsour, a leader of the Women’s March movement, has faced allegations of antisemitism in the past.

She released a statement last November apologising for “causing harm to the movement’s Jewish members and for being too slow to show its commitment to fighting antisemitism.”

“We should have been faster and clearer in helping people understand our values and our commitment to fighting antisemitism. We regret that,” the statement said.

Last year, Sarsour was accused of suggesting liberal American Jews put their support for Israel above their commitment to democracy and free speech.

In a Facebook post from November 2018, she defended congresswoman Ilhan Omar from criticism over her support for the boycott, divestment, sanctions (BDS) movement.

“This is not only coming from the right-wing but some folks who masquerade as progressives but always choose their allegiance to Israel over their commitment to democracy and free speech,” she wrote.

Supporters of Sarsour have pointed to her work raising funds for victims of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting and to repair a vandalised Jewish cemetery.

Sarsour has been approached for comment.