(AP) --Bernie Sanders is questioning whether Democratic rival Hillary Clinton is "qualified" to be president after she spent much of Wednesday criticizing his record and his preparedness for the job.

Sanders told a crowd of more than 10,000 people in Philadelphia that Clinton "has been saying lately that she thinks that I am quote unquote not qualified to be president."

He says, "I don't believe that she is qualified if she is, through her super PAC, taking tens of millions of dollars in special interest funds." He also says Clinton is not qualified because of her vote on the war in Iraq and her support for trade agreements that he says are harmful to American workers.

Clinton spokesman Brian Fallon responded quickly, writing on Twitter: "Hillary Clinton did not say Bernie Sanders was 'not qualified.' But he has now -- absurdly -- said it about her. This is a new low."

Sanders stopped by a historic black church in south Philadelphia on Wednesday, taking questions from a more intimate audience before heading to a rally of thousands across town at Temple University.

Sanders told the audience that as president, he would listen to people in impoverished communities to learn more about their needs.

He added that jobs rebuilding infrastructure would increase opportunities for minority government contractors and small businesses in black communities.

Sanders was also asked whether he supported reparations for slavery. He said he wants to prioritize federal funding for depressed areas, where many black Americans live.

He was also asked whether he would be the first U.S. president to apologize for slavery. Sanders responded, "Yes," adding that though slavery can never be undone, it must be acknowledged.

Menawhile, Donald Trump invoked the heroism of New York City police and firefighters during the 9/11 terror attacks in a swipe at Republican rival Ted Cruz.

 

Trump, in a rally on Long Island Wednesday night, invoked Ted Cruz's line from a debate earlier this year in which he criticized "New York values." Trump said Cruz said it "with scorn on his face" and "with hatred."

Trump said he couldn't believe that anyone would question the heroism of the city's uniformed officers and construction workers during the aftermath of the 2001 attacks that toppled the World Trade Center.

Cruz was not the only target of Trump's attacks during the raucous Bethpage rally. He called out "How bad Hillary so bad. It will be fun! It will be fun!"

The New York primary, the first meaningful contest in the state in decades, will be held April 19.

Police are reported a few incidents after Donald Trump's supporters and protesters gathered outside the Long Island, N.Y., studio where the Republican front-runner held his rally.

Acting Nassau County Police Commissioner Thomas Krumpter told reporters two people were arrested inside the rally for fighting each other. No arrests or physical altercations occurred outside the venue, he said.

Six people were transported to hospitals and seven were treated at the site for conditions like fainting and dehydration.

Krumpter said "several hundred" police officers were on scene and the event cost the police department between $300,000 and $400,000.

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