Area goal is to send 10,000
Of the St. Louis American
This time, women, you are more than welcome.
That was one of the messages delivered by Minister Akbar Muhammad on Monday during a press conference announcing the opening of the Millions More Movement St. Louis Office in the Victor Roberts Building.
The Millions More Movement March and weekend of events are scheduled for October 14-16 in Washington, D.C. in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Million Man March.
St. Louis’ mobilization is being directed by Minister Donald Muhammad and the Rev. Phillip Duvall. Akbar Muhammad, international spokesman for Minister Louis Farrakhan, said the goal is to send 10,000 St. Louis-area residents to the march.
“Can we do that?” he asked, and a crowd of more than 100 people responded with a boisterous, “Yes!”
“We are inviting our women,” he added, saying that women helped create a positive spirit 10 years ago “so thick you could slice it.”
He said the Millions More Movement March “is open for anyone wanting to pledge themselves to the uplift of all people, in particular, black people. The march is open to anyone, regardless of race, gender, religion or sexual orientation.”
An estimated 7,000 to 8,000 people from the area attended the Million Man March a decade ago, “although many people drove themselves or arranged their own flights, so we’re sure it was more,” Akbar Muhammad said.
“It was an awesome experience. We want a repeat, but even better.”
Muhammad said that there would be fundraisers throughout the coming months to raise money to help send young people and students “who have achieved.”
“We want to support and sponsor them,” Muhammad said.
He also said there would be an effort to involve “the young brothers in the street, those who need a change in their lives, who are troubled.”
“I will be marching for young men and women and standing up for our babies who are under attack,” said Zaki Baruti, co-founder of the Universal African Peoples Organization.
“Seventy percent of our young mean are incarcerated, people don’t have adequate health care. It is in that spirit that I march.”
There will be a $20 registration fee, and a round-trip bus ticket costs $135. There is a $75 deposit to reserve a seat.
Travelers will leave at noon Friday, October 14 and return the evening of Saturday, October 15. There will be events throughout the weekend for people who are in Washington, D.C. for three days.
Muhammad said that it is important to mobilize African Americans early because of “the political climate in America today.”
“The reality is that (the Bush administration) is trying to divide Black America. There was recently a vote among major black church leaders, and the vote was split as to whether to support us or go their own way. We want to help the masses of black people. This march is about trying to help black people try to redeem themselves, and show them who they are. We don’t want the government and its ‘faith-based’ programs to divide us,” Muhammad warned.
He said white media is using the Bill Cosby controversy to divide Black America. Cosby was in St. Louis on Monday to meet privately with black civic leaders and to lead a town hall-style meeting at Harris-Stowe State College.
“Our community is very divided on Cosby. But it is in-house business, and we don’t want to be divided over it. Even with our differences, we must show our unity and diversity and focus on the masses of black people that we must find a way to help.”
The Millions More Movement office is in the Victor Roberts Building, 1408 North Kingshighway in Suite 215.
The St. Louis Organizing Committee and its staff, which is being financed through the $20 registration fee, can be reached at (314) 361-9191.
