The protest movement, led by the Nation of Islam leader, Louis Farrakhan, has been demanding change from the government.
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On Saturday (October 10), countless men and women joined together from across the United States to gather in Washington, D.C. on the National Mall to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Million Man March. “Our children are dying in the streets”. But he says recent police-involved killings will also be center stage. The gathering 20 years ago, while praised for its message of atonement and empowerment of black men, was also criticized for its dearth of women.
We have to reason to respect what law enforcement does, Waters said, but demand “our respect as well”. He also called for a ministry of defense and a ministry of justice in local Black communities.
During his two-and-a-half-hour speech, Farrakhan offered his recommendations for how Blacks should deal with the issues that are facing the country now.
“If you love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, nobody could give you enough money to make you betray yourself”, he said. “If you are wise, you should keep the child and it may be the answer to your prayers”.
Robert Cox, 50, a fire captain in Boston (Massachusetts, north-east), says coming “because he spends a lot of serious things that people at the top do not seem to understand well”, stressing “that no human being should be marginalized or being discriminated against”.
During a rally, Farrakhan said black men and women should forsake foul language and violence against each other.
Muhammad, who said he attended the Million Man March, came this time to stand with the others for the cause of justice for all of our people, especially those of our people that have been victims of overzealous police work or brutality.
Farrakhan chided blacks for being too tolerant and too forgiving of their abusers.
Police officers are very needed in our community, but I think the badge should not be a license to kill or a license to hide a murderer, Muhammad said. Hosted by actor Malik Yoba, The Million Man March Story features behind-the-scenes footage and unique coverage of speeches by Minister Louis Farrakhan, Maya Angelou, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rosa Parks, Dorothy Height and Stevie Wonder. Lance considers it a “duty” that he be in D.C. for this gathering.
“$3.3 billion in the last few years has been paid by lobbyists to this house”, he said, pointing to the Capitol. “Because we are all one”.
U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.) was the only member of the U.S. Congress to address the gathering. “Even people of color at high places can’t take it no more”.
“If I’m a seed – and I’m 50 years old and I’m still a seed – [if I] have never been planted in the right environment to develop myself then I don’t have freedom”, Farrakhan said.
The Million Man March is remembered by many as a watershed event, despite the fact that its impact on the African-American community remains ambiguous 20 years later.
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Notable figures present throughout the march, included Hip Hop artist J. Cole, internatonational pop star Janet Jackson, while other celebirites like Russel Simmons and Will and Jada Pinkett Smith endorsed and funded the march. This is a movement, ” Muhammad said Thursday on board the bus.
