Baltimore mobilizes for Millions More Movement
By Nisa Islam Muhammad
Staff Writer
Updated Jun 14, 2005, 09:53 am

BALTIMORE (FinalCall.com) - While the message that Black people must organize and get involved with the Millions More Movement continues to reverberate around the country, Baltimore felt the vibe during a June 2 press conference and rally in support of the Commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Million Man March.

The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) held an evening rally at Sojourner-Douglass College, bringing the message of the significance of Baltimore being involved with the movement.

“We must go back to our original purpose,” explained Reverend Willie Wilson, national director of the Millions More Movement. “There must be a revolution of the mind. The problems we face are bigger than any difference we share. We’ve brought together our best minds to create solutions to our problems.”

He also informed the crowd that the movement was not just for Blacks in America. “This movement is not just for Black people in America, but for our people all over the world who are suffering,” he said.

Minister Carlos Muhammad, of Muhammad’s Mosque No. 6, explained in clear terms what “hell” looked like in Baltimore at a press conference held earlier that day.

“Recent local events involving racially charged educational policies, the recent killing and inhumane treatment of inmates at Central Booking, the acquittal of the suspects charged in the beating of a Black youth and swirling controversy surrounding the untimely death of a prominent Black business leader and activist have made the Baltimore metropolitan area a hotbed for national conversation and fertile ground for local mobilization.”

The crowd was in an uproar with cheers and applause.

“Baltimore is doing an excellent job,” observed Atty. Malik Zulu Shabazz, national co-convener of the Millions More Movement and head of the New Black Panther Party. “This is a bright spot for the March and an example for other cities. Minister Carlos of Muhammad’s Mosque No. 6 has done a great job for years of working with the community. So when he, Eartha Harris and Lou Andrews get the call out, they can easily mobilize the people.”

From the reactions of the crowd that night, the people are ready to be mobilized.

“I’m a part of this movement,” said Capricia Canada, “I already took the time off my job to be there. This is just what we need.”

Minister Benjamin Chavis Muhammad, who served as the national director of the Million Man March in 1995, encouraged the people to get involved. “When you help a movement to liberate your people, you’re really helping yourself. Tell someone else about this movement and bring them to D.C.,” he urged.

Cora Masters Barry, wife of D.C. former mayor Marion Barry, discussed women and behind the scenes events that led up to the March in 1995.

“A lot of what happened was because the women did it,” she said. “This time, millions more of our people will be there. Tell everybody to come. We’re bringing women and children this time.”

Doc Cheatham, president of the Baltimore Chapter of the NAACP, told the crowd that the same spirit that got him involved in the Million Man March motivated his involvement in the NAACP. At the March, Minister Farrakhan asked every man to join an organization and work to further its causes.

“I didn’t think I would be in the NAACP today encouraging people to get involved,” said Mr. Cheatham, “It’s our responsibility to encourage as many as we can to be at the March.”

To end all doubts of the state’s potential leading role in mobilization, Reverend Bowyer Freeman, of New St. Mark’s Baptist Church, boldly declared, “We’re bringing at least one million people from Maryland.”

(Baltimore’s LOC meets every Thursday at 7 p.m. at Sojourner-Douglass College.)

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