CHICAGO—Three decades ago, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan made a Divine Call, and nearly two million Black men responded, standing before the world and showing a glimpse of heaven.
The Million Man March was held on October 16, 1995, in Washington, D.C., for a day devoted to the theme of “Atonement, Reconciliation, and Responsibility.”
This day, unlike any other in the history of the U.S. or the world, still resonates because of its significance and impact. For decades, Black people, particularly Black men and boys, had been vilified in the media. There were negative images of Black men portrayed in Hollywood movies as savage, uncivilized, beasts. These negative images were mass-marketed and were spread worldwide.
There were also issues of fratricidal violence and drugs that had permeated Black communities by our open enemies. Minister Farrakhan issued a call for Black men to accept responsibilities for themselves, their families and communities.
The organizing effort was spearhead by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. The organizing around uniting and calling Black men to action spread from places of worship, Black businesses, members of various organizations, college campuses, to the streets of Black America and beyond. Despite efforts to derail the march, Black people closed ranks, and the result was history.
The majesty of The Million Man March brought brothers from all over the country from various religions, political ideologies and socio-economic backgrounds to the nation’s capital.
The call was issued by a Muslim, but most of the men who attended were Christians, proving Minister Farrakhan’s broad appeal. Held on a Monday, rather than a weekend, the March created a need for commitment by taking off work and school.
Black women, who were an integral part of planning and supporting the Million Man March, were asked to stay home that day and to encourage their male relatives and friends to attend.
“Through the Million Man March, we proved that we can rise above our differences because The Cause for which we were rising was greater than the things that divided us.
So, we came together to produce the Greatest Gathering ever to be seen in America—not by Black people, but by anybody!” Minister Farrakhan said, in a message delivered on the occasion of the 16th anniversary of the March.
“The Million Man March was a phenomenal, marvelous demonstration of love and unity,” said Student Minister Ishmael Muhammad, the National Assistant to Minister Farrakhan in a previous interview with The Final Call. “A day unprecedented and unparalleled in human history,” he said.
“Never has there been an occasion where one man called a million of his brothers and nearly a million more responded. They answered not for protest or a rally to petition a government for a redress of grievances,” he added.
“They weren’t assembled to take up arms against an enemy or to conquer. The million men were called to atone, reconcile, and accept the responsibility that is on our shoulders for the change that we desire in our lives, and we want in our communities as a people,” said Student Minister Ishmael Muhammad.
“On that day the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan was guided and directed by Allah to deliver a message for us and the whole world on the principle of Atonement.”
The message laid out an eight-step process by which wrongs can be corrected, differences can be reconciled, conflicts resolved and peace secured (See pages 16, 22).
The Shura Executive Council of the Nation of Islam invites visitors, guests, community members, and supporters to view a special 30th Anniversary Program to commemorate and celebrate the 30th Anniversary of The Million Man March and Holy Day of Atonement.
Which will take place on Sunday, October 19, from Mosque Maryam in Chicago at 10 a.m. Central Time. The program will also be broadcast live on noi.org.