NYC: spread the word, share our work, show your love. . . Countdown to Million Youth March: Organizers plan mass Black Power march of 50,000 in New York City By Doshon Farad “Black Power”, “ Save Black Youth”, and “Self-Reliance” are the messages that organizers of the Million Youth March (MYM)- set to take place in less than three days on September 7th-intend to send to the World. The march which was first announced on June 20th is a part of the National Black Family Convention (BFC) scheduled to occur from September 5-7th in Harlem at the Adam Clayton Powell State Office Building beginning at 9a.m. This year’s march-being convened by New Black Panther Party Chairman Attorney Malik Zulu Shabazz- is being celebrated as the fifteenth anniversary of the first Million Youth March that was lead in 1998 by late New Black Panther Party leader Khallid Abdul Muhammad. This year’s organizers have chosen as a theme “Millions for Trayvon Martin” honoring the seventeen year old young black man who was killed last year in Sanford, Florida, by self-appointed neighborhood watchmen George Zimmerman who was acquitted last July of a second degree murder charge in Martin’s death. Conveners say that Martin will be honored along with other black men who have been unjustly killed by law enforcement officers and vigilantes. This list includes Amadou Diallo, Sean Bell, Oscar Grant,Jordan Davis, Ramarley Graham, and Kimani Grey. The pan-African themed convention will feature paneled workshops aimed at empowering blacks in America and across the World. The panels will include a wide spectrum of activists, scholars, celebrities, entrepreneurs, as well as experts in various areas. Recently several key African-American public figures have endorsed the March and convention. Included in this powerful line up are actor Tommy Mikal Ford (Martin), billionaire and real estate mogul Mike Roberts, Jackson, Mississippi Mayor Chokwe Lumumba, National Executive Director of the National Black Conference of Mayors Vanessa Williams, Your Black World founder Dr. Boyce Watkins, Atlanta radio personality DJ Greg Street, Former NBA player Etan Thomas, and television personality Nick Cannon. Cannon is the most recent celebrity endorser of the MYM and BFC came under fire from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) for his endorsement. ADL National Director Abraham Foxman said in a recent statement, “While it is unclear if these celebrity and business leaders realize exactly who and what they are promoting, their endorsements of the Million Youth March only help to legitimize the virulently anti-Semitic and racist message of the New Black Panther Party.” “We hope that these public figures will take it upon themselves to completely disassociate themselves from the march,” he added. On its website the ADL has the New Black Panther Party listed as “The largest organized anti-Semitic and racist black militant group in America.” However, Cannon’s spokesperson has said that he does not support racism or violent black militancy. His publicist Tracy Nguyen said, “Nick Cannon supports positivity, equality and unity amongst all people.” “Any efforts to use his name by any organization, including the ADL to assert otherwise is a weak and tacky attempt to generate publicity on a non-issue”, Nguyen added. Attorney Shabazz-the NBPP leader-who has been mass organizing since his days at Howard University in the 90s and like Nation of Islam Leader Minister Louis Farrakhan, has been on the ADL’s list of top racists and anti-Semitic leaders-has made it very clear that he will not allow attacks on his character to dissuade him from serving his community and has virtually ignored his critics by saying, “The whole purpose of these events is too establish a strong Black Power Movement across America and the World specifically for the youth”, Shabazz said. He added, “The youth need attention and focus. They need a march, a movement and a day where they can speak, articulate and have their issues heard. Someone needs to go after them to save them from this horrific condition that they’re in. We need to do one every year. This massive rally, March, mobilization, and the Black Family Convention are just what Black youth all over America need.” Shabazz also mentioned that this year’s organizers are expecting to draw no less than 50,000 participants as the march and convention are rapidly gaining international attention on TV, radio and social media networks. Also scheduled to attend is music sensation Erykah Badu who has a long track record of supporting socially action oriented events in the Black community. At the conclusion of this weekend’s events there will be a mass March taking place right after the Saturday rally beginning at 5:30pm. Participants are scheduled to march from the Adam Clayton Powell State Building on 125th street to Frederick Douglas Blvd to 135th street East to Malcolm X Blvd and then back to the state building.
Posted on: Tue, 03 Sep 2013 00:47:00 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015