Julianne Jennings: People of color must unite for justice or else

On October 16, 1995, the world witnessed more than a million black men converge on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., where Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrahkan urged them to improve their families and communities. The “Million Man March” became the most historic organizing and mobilizing event in the history of Black people in the United States.

All creeds and classes were present: Christians, Muslims, Hebrews, Agnostics, nationalists, pan-Africanists, civil rights organizations, fraternal organizations, rich, poor, celebrities and people from nearly every organization, profession and walk of life came for atonement, reconciliation and responsibility. This year, Minister Farrakhan has boldly issued a new and poignant theme: “Justice Or Else” to convene on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Million Man March. The minister asserted, “On 10.10.15, let’s show the world our unity.”

A broad cross section of local community activists from the NAACP, the National Urban League, National Action Network, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), Latino and Native American organizations, including American Indian Youth groups and others, are joining with Nation of Islam organizers and officials to build a strong national network to be heard on the world’s stage for this year’s gathering. Adrian Heckstall, founder of “I Love Ancestry” (iloveancestry.com) is part of the National Mobilizing Committee for Justice Or Else says, “Farrakhan is one of very few leaders from the Black community that advocate for Native people.”

During the Q/A portion of his July 10th address at the 2015 UNITY Conference in Washington, D.C., a Native American youth asked the Honorable Minister what the Native American tribes can do to support the upcoming 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March, “You and I are one. We are one,” said Farrakhan. “Our unity will help us to get our grievances answered. Organize and come on! Let's do it together.”