Earlier this month, an array of black leaders, former presidential candidates Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, joined Nation of Islam leader Min. Louis Farrakhan in Washington, D.C. to kick off plans for the “Millions More Movement,” a 10th anniversary celebration of the historical Million Man March.
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Tom and the Crew talked with Min. Louis Farrakhan about the “Millions More Movement“
And as with the Million Man March, Farrakhan will play a role in coordinating the Millions More Movement, which, according to a spokesperson, will be spearheaded by a who’s who of black leaders. It is being billed as a more inclusive successor to the October 1995 march, as conveners are encouraging women and gays to attend.
“This will be a coalition of national leaders working to create a framework that goes beyond just marching to actually making fundamental changes,” Millions More Movement spokesperson Chae Carrier told BlackAmericaWeb.com.
The Millions More Movement, which will take place the weekend of October 14 in the nation’s capitol, will provide black people with an opportunity to do something greater for their community, said Dr. Ronald Walters, a political science professor at the University of Maryland.
“This gives us an opportunity to do something significant, beyond bringing black people to the Mall,” Walters said, referring to the popular downtown Washington area long known for hosting rallies, demonstrations and similar events. “We ought to use this time and take the opportunity to do something serious.”
Walters is one of approximately 100 conveners for the Millions More Movement. Other conveners, such as the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rev. Al Sharpton, commentator Julianne Malveaux and civil rights pioneer Dorothy Height attended a press conference at Washington’s National Press Club. The event, backed by a broad-based leadership, is in the development stages, Walters said, adding that once things firm up, this could be as successful as the Million Man March.
“This would truly be a national event in scope because it will encourage all people,” Walters said, adding that there are several issues affecting black people that will be dealt with, among them education, unemployment and the growing incarceration epidemic. Walters hopes that everyone, from organizers to participants, embraces economic development.
“What I’ve suggested is that there be a day that we all give $100 a piece to the black charity of our choice,” Walters said, adding that several black banking institutions or the United Black Fund would be more than capable of handling and managing such a large amount of financial contributions. “The point would be that we could raise hundreds of millions of dollars towards a common purpose.”
Carrier said it’s totally appropriate to ask men, women, and children to participate in celebrating the Million Man March’s 10th anniversary, adding that the movement will also be open to people from all racial and ethnic backgrounds.
“The movement recognizes that there are issues facing people all around the world that require the talents of men and women of any race, religion and political philosophy,” Carrier said. “The idea is not just about past marches. Past marches were important, and they laid the groundwork for the current effort. But we need to be more focused, come up with more solutions, and put them back into the community.”
Carrier said the movement will address how the black community will move forward, leading up to the anniversary commemoration and beyond. A community development handbook will also be drafted and disseminated to people throughout the country.
“We hope to reinvigorate the community and also help in having people move forward, go out and work in their communities,” Carrier said. “We want them to take things that they’ve learned, and go out and implement them.”
This Millions More Movement has been endorsed by several community-based organizations, among them the National Council of Negro Women and the NAACP, whose board of directors approved a resolution endorsing the event last November, said NAACP spokesman John C. White.
“The fact that the board has endorsed it means that the NAACP thinks it’s a good idea,” White said, adding that Farrakhan appeared at a religious summit sponsored by the NAACP and requested that the organization lend its support to the cause.
The Million March, which was held on October 16, 1995, brought upwards of two million men to Washington D.C., much more than the 400,000 estimate by the National Park Service. Because of that drastic miscount, Walters said, estimating how many people may attend the Millions More march is not a priority. He is confident that people, regardless of education, income and other classifying factors, will come out -- even young people. He also believes that the movement will have support from Washington’s local politicians, among them Mayor Anthony Williams, who attended Monday’s press conference.
Sharon Gang, deputy communications director for Williams, agreed.
“The Mayor and City Council will work together to make sure that the leaders of this large event are aware of what they need to do to make this a safe and effective event,” Gang said. “That’s where [Williams] can really help. With such a large event like this, it takes a number of agencies in the district government to make it work, and he’s ready to do that.”
