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 THE WASHINGTON POST

Column #1

Black men converging on the nation's capital for
Monday's Million Man March described it as a
unifying, uplifting event that transcends its
controversial originator, Nation of Islam leader
Louis Farrakhan. "It's not about a march, a man,
words. It's about a movement," the Rev. Vernor
Clay said after a Sunday sermon urging the men
of Lincoln Congregational Temple in Washington
to attend. The event, actually more of a rally and
prayer meeting than march, is called "a day of
atonement and reconciliation." Supporters describe
it as a call for black men to take responsibility
for their own lives and families, and to dedicate
themselves to fighting the scourges of drugs,
violence and unemployment. Organizers asked
women and men who can't come to the rally to stay
home from work or school to mark a "holy day," and
to avoid spending any money as a demonstration
of black economic power. No one knows how
many will take part. Sunday night, several thousand
black men, women and children turned out for a
"prayer and praise rally" at the D.C. Convention
Center, kicking off events with revival-like fervor.
People stamped feet and clapped hands to gospel
music as vendors sold T-shirts, buttons, fruit and
bottled water. On the Mall, black men arrived
in groups, many carrying backpacks and planning
to sleep outdoors as temperatures dropped into
the 50s. Flashlight beams illuminated intimate
gatherings where men listened to music from
rap to gospel and talked of religion, Malcolm X
and solidarity. "I feel that the atmosphere is strong
young black men being empowered with other
black men. It's beautiful," said 24-year-old Clayton
Pasley, a pastor from St. Louis, Mo. The idea
originated with Farrakhan, and he has been its
chief organizer, with the help of ousted NAACP
chief Benjamin Chavis Jr. But it has attracted
a wide coalition of support, including Jesse Jackson,
Rosa Parks and several black members of Congress
and mayors and ministers. Many say it's unfair
now to characterize it as Farrakhan's event. "It

Was his idea, he dropped the seeds," said Clarence
White, a postal worker who traveled from San
Antonio, Texas, for the rally. "But it's no longer
His. It's ours." Scattered early arrivals black
men of all ages and several women, too milled
about the event site on the National Mall. Several
exchanged greetings of "Brother!" Or "Hey, black
man!" Vendors hawked T-shirts and hats that said
"One in a million," and city crews began closing
some streets along the Mall. Three members of
the Coalition for Jewish Concerns appeared on
the Mall with signs that said "David Duke and
Louis Farrakhan two sides of the same coin."
They got in a brief shouting match with some
black passers by. Farrakhan's remarks have
infuriated Jews, Catholics, gays, feminists and
others. He has called Judaism a "gutter religion"
and recently defended his use of the term
"bloodsuckers" to describe Jews or others who
open businesses in minority communities and
take the profits elsewhere. Farrakhan canceled
all his public appearances Sunday to prepare
for the rally. Huge speakers and giant video
screens were being set up on the grassy Mall
Sunday afternoon, and yellow tape marked the
spot behind the Capitol where organizers planned
to erect a stage. Crowds were expected to begin
converging on the Mall soon after midnight.
Some city subway stations were opening at
12:30 a.m., five hours earlier than usual, to
accommodate them. Activities start at 5 a.m.
With prayer and African drumming, followed by
speeches, music and more prayer throughout
the day. Weather forecasters predicted a sunny
and breezy day with temperatures in the 60s.
Helena Ramirez came to look over the site but
said on Monday she and her daughter would
stay home, offering support to the men. "I think

Column #3

It's been too long since there's been something
for young black men," she said. No one knows
how many men will arrive. City officials say
they are preparing for 500,000 to one million.
Organizers predict more than 11,000 buses will
bring men to the rally. Reaching the goal of 1
million would take more than one out of every
10 of America's black adult men. The 1963, civil
rights march led by Martin Luther King Jr., which
included men and women of many races, drew
250,000 people. President Clinton will be out of
town Monday, giving a speech on race relations in
Austin, Texas. Deputy White House Chief of  Staff
Harold Ickes reiterated the president's support of the
march's goals and his opposition to the "bigoted,
hateful, anti-Semitic, sexist comments of Louis
Farrakhan." "This group is not Farrakhan's group,"
Ickes said on CBS's "Face the Nation." "This is a
group of  black men from around the country who
are coming here for a day of atonement and to talk
about how to take responsibility for their own lives."
Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, R-Kan,  said, "My
view is, there are probably a lot of well-intentioned
people coming to Washington. And I like the talk
about self-reliance, about picking yourself up,
cleaning up our cities and getting kids off drugs, but
I don't think that Farrakhan should be the leader
of the march." Some of the black leaders who plan
to be at the event have tried to distance themselves
from Farrakhan's inflammatory remarks. The organizers
have sent mixed signals. Often they have emphasized
the broad-based support for the march, including
endorsements from many Christian ministers.
But they also have bristled at attempts to
separate Farrakhan from the message of
the march and expressed anger at black men
who choose to stay away.  At a weekend speech in
Chicago, Farrakhan said black men who don't feel
the need to atone are "self-righteous fools".