Marchers demand action

By Pamela Glason Thornton
Staff Writer
Columbus Post

Thousands of African Americans vowed to strengthen their community economically and politically during the Millions More Movement last weekend in Washington, D.C.
The Movement spawned from the historic Million Man March which was held a decade ago at the National Mall in the nation’s capital.
“I was truly moved by the day and all of the messages,” said Brian Burgess, a Columbus resident who also attended the 1995 Million Man March. “This time it was about taking action to make positive changes among ourselves. Minister Farrakhan got straight to the point. He was speaking about solutions and positive changes and controlling our own destiny.”
Minister Louis Farrakhan, the leader of the Nation of Islam, planned and coordinated the march. He encouraged individuals and groups to reverse cycles of deterioration occurring within black households, society and the government.
“The government will never do for the poor unless we organize effectively to make the government respond to the needs of the poor. The burden is on us,” Farrakhan said at the gathering.
Farrakhan dismissed reports of considerably smaller attendance than the 1995 march and told reporters his goal was to initiate action after the weekend ended. Although there was no official count of the crowd, estimates ranged from 100,000 to 800,000 people.
Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, the founder of Operation P.U.S.H., stressed the importance of making a difference on election day.

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