Organizers of large demonstrations on the Mall in Washington frequently end up staging a second protest: begging the National Park Service to revise its crowd estimate.The stir over the Million Man March, shown in this Oct. 16, 1995, photo, has persuaded the park service to review its numbers and its methods. A decision on whether to raise the official estimate is expected in two weeks. The park service said the Oct. 16 rally drew 400,000 people. The Nation of Islam, one of the organizers, said the march drew 2 million.IF YOU GOWhat: Commemoration of 1995 Million Man MarchWhen: 3 p.m. SundayWhere: Eastdale Village Community Church
In less than a year the midsize city of Chattanooga listed at least 24 homicides and more than 90 shootings, many of them black-on-black crimes.
Representatives from several organizations call for the black community to repent for its actions.
The organizations, which collectively call themselves “We Are The Ones Coalition,” will be among hundreds across the country commemorating the 19th anniversary of the Million Man March on Sunday. The commemoration starts at 3 p.m. at Eastdale Village Community Church.
The program, called “a day of atonement, reconciliation and responsibility,” includes local leaders calling for prayer and an end to violence. The group will also view Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan’s 2014 Million Man March speech broadcast from Kingston, Jamaica.
“The only thing on the agenda is that we must atone, no longer continue in the state we’re in,” said Charlotte S. Williams, pastor of Eastdale Village Community Church. “Today we say no more lying to ourselves. No more blaming others.”
Hundreds of thousands of black men attended the Million Man March in Washington, D.C., in 1995. Many recited an oath vowing to take responsibility for their actions and their communities. Then they joined organizations like the Urban League and NAACP. They registered to vote, joined religious institutions and enrolled in school to put action with their commitment. But that momentum has been lost, said Williams.
“We have got to go back to the altar and ask God to forgive us,” said Williams.
Men go to jail for not paying child support and there is so much violence, she said.
According to the local nonprofit First Things First, the majority of black children nationwide, 54 percent, are raised by single mothers.
And concerning violence in Chattanooga, in all of 2013 through February 2014, 19 of the 24 homicide victims — 79 percent — were black men. Of all shooting victims in that period, 92 percent were black, according to the Chattanooga Police Department.
Lack of employment is a problem, Williams said. Those who have jobs should try to help other people get them. People in political positions should demand more jobs.
“Rather than looking outside for someone to solve our problems, we’ve got to look inside,” said local Nation of Islam leader Kevin Muhammad. “Our goal is to push the pause button and take responsibility for ourselves and our own communities.”
Contact staff writer Yolanda Putman at yputman@timesfreepress.com or 757-6431.