Two cities in Michigan are set to play host to "March Against Sharia" protests Saturday as part of a series of national events, sparking criticism and counterprotests from members of the Muslim community and supporters.

The group organizing the events, ACT for America, says the marches are against Sharia law and for human rights, as well as supporting an end to female genital mutilation and honor killings. The Southern Poverty Law Center classifies ACT for America as an anti-Muslim hate group.

"Our nation is built on the freedom of religion -- a pillar of our democracy -- which we must always respect, protect, and honor," a statement on ACT for America's website reads. "However many aspects of Sharia law run contrary to basic human rights and are completely incompatible with our laws and our democratic values."

The two marches in Michigan are scheduled for Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 6233 S. Pennsylvania Ave. in Lansing, and 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the southeast corner of M-24 (Telegraph) and 12 Mile Road in Southfield. The Facebook page for the Lansing event can be viewed here.

The Michigan Conservative Coalition - the group behind the organized statewide rallies supporting President Donald Trump both during and after the 2016 election cycle - is partnering with ACT for America on the Michigan events.

"Trump supporters turned out in huge numbers in Michigan for 'flash mobs" during the 2016 campaign," Michigan Conservative Coalition President Rosanne Ponkowski said in a press release. "Now we are pleased to join with ACT for America, the national sponsor, to bring some of that energy to this very important issue."

The events have drawn criticism both locally and nationally, with local officials, organizations and members of Congress decrying the planned events as anti-Muslim.

U.S. Reps. John Conyers, D-Detroit, Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn and Brenda Lawrence, D-Southfield, joined other members of Congress in a Thursday press conference to condemn the marches.

During the press conference, which was streamed on Facebook Live, Dingell said she and her Muslim neighbors in Dearborn "are tired of this fear and this hatred that is becoming more and more pronounced every day."

"What is wrong with a country that spreads fear and hatred when someone wants to defend what it stands for?" she said. "They will not win, they will not divide this country and they will be total failures on Saturday, because we will be united against that hatred."

Lawrence said diversity is a cornerstone to democracy in the United States, adding that the country "is not a land of the free if anyone is excluded from that."

This weekend, a far-right group plans to hold anti-Muslim protests across the country. We can't let hate go unopposed. With community leaders and members of Congress, we're speaking out to affirm our communities are welcoming for all. #HateFreeAmerica Posted by Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal on Thursday, June 8, 2017

In response to the Lansing event, Mayor Virg Bernero said he was deeply disturbed by the event and said the city of Lansing does not tolerate discrimination and stands in solidarity with Muslims in the community.

"Although the First Amendment protects the right of hateful people to express their views in public, as this abhorrent event approaches I want to encourage all people of good faith to ignore the hatemongers and focus instead on how we can continue to build bridges in our community," Bernero said.

At least two counterprotests have been planned in Lansing for Saturday in response to the March Against Sharia.

Several groups, including the Michigan Muslim Community Council, the Islamic Center in East Lansing and Women's March Michigan, are co-hosting an event from 3-4 p.m. at the Capitol dubbed "Wash Away the Hate in Michigan."

The group "Michigan AntiFacism & Anti-White Supremacy Network" is also organizing a 9 a.m. demonstration at 915 E. Miller Road in Lansing.

In the state Legislature, Rep. Michele Hoitenga, R-Manton, recently introduced legislation to ban foreign laws from being used in Michigan courts.

The bill itself doesn't name the Sharia Law associated with Islam. But its sponsor, Rep. Michele Hoitenga, R-Manton, mentioned Sharia Law specifically -- and cited an effort to end female genital mutilation -- in an email to representatives obtained by MLive.

Rep. Jeremy Moss, D-Southfield, and Rep. Abdullah Hammoud, D-Dearborn, were early opponents of the concept.

Hammoud said the bill would do nothing to discourage female genital mutilation, which is a cultural practice and not a part of Sharia.

"If it is Rep. Hoitenga's aim to protect girls from female genital mutilation, which is already a crime, her bill does nothing to accomplish that," Hammoud said at the time.