Strange things are a-brewin’ within the nation’s anti-immigrant movement. Although anti-immigrant organizations of varying size and influence are enjoying the limelight as a result of Arizona’s racist law (SB 1070), it seems the attention has caused a few rifts.

And it all appears to be bubbling to the  surface around the June 5 anti-immigrant rally in Phoenix. One clue is the ever-changing roster of sponsors for the event – like a game of musical chairs for far-right nativists. Originally, William Gheen was a big player, now he’s out. Then NumbersUSA, the mobilizing arm of the powerful John Tanton Network, has been demoted from an “official sponsor” to just a promoter-like role. So far NumbersUSA still has its logo on the event page, but is downplaying its involvement.

Then there are the changes on NumbersUSA’s website, which normally boasts impressive interactive features so members can share tips on politicians they don’t like or leave nasty comments. NumbersUSA’s online mobilizing and connection to supporters have arguably been its key to success. So it’s mysterious that the organization has been clamping down on its members’ freedom to express themselves. Just recently the site added a “report” option so that members can narc on each other, and also a disclaimer stating that its members’ views don’t reflect the organization’s.

This may have a little something to do with what happened back in March when NumbersUSA vastly expanded its web capabilities. In a members-only section of its website that evaluates Congressional representatives, under a picture of Illinois Congressman Roland Burris, a NumbersUSA member wrote, “You have disgraced yourself and the (sic) all the people of IL, especially the Black citizens. We should welcome you home with Tar and Feathers.”

Another member wrote, “Only when the people show up to REMOVE these treasonous crooks will justice be served! Bring back the rope!”

Although NumbersUSA has tried to distance itself from the extreme far right, its message stills resonates deeply with racial extremists. No amount of website monitoring is going to stop that.

And that brings us to why it may be worried about the upcoming rally. First, there’s the main coordinator, Daniel Smeriglio, who was exposed as having strong ties to white supremacists in Pennsylvania. Then there is the growing list of speakers who range from fringey, far-right conservatives to downright crazy racists.

For example, Barbara Coe was added to the speakers list recently and judging from her recent outbursts, she’ll likely show up locked and loaded. Adding to her list of outrageously bigoted statements, Barb sent an email to supporters several days ago that read, “Why risk your life or the lives of your family by going to a city who WELCOMES violent illegal alien criminals who rob, rape, kidnap, torture and murder innocent Americans?”

That’s bad. But ALIPAC and NumbersUSA haven’t shied away from controversy before, and both have their share of troubling qualities. Plus, this rally is the culmination of the hard-work of NumbersUSA’s posse, the John Tanton Network. So why aren’t they basking in it?

Perhaps they don’t care so much about the racists who are going to be featured at the event or who it might attract. Maybe they just aren’t getting along with their anti-immigrant frenemies.

That’s OK. A bunch of haters running hateful organizations all trying to get along never sounded like a winning strategy anyway.