USA : WASHINGTON: THOUSANDS OF BLACK MEN JOIN MILLION MAN MARCH

(16 Oct 1995) English/Nat
Nation of Islam organisers say a (m) million African Americans have joined the Million Man March in Washington D-C although police have not yet given an official count.
The marchers have gathered at the Capitol to affirm their self-respect and protest the conditions besetting much of black America.
The rally promises to be the largest gathering of black Americans since the historic 1963 March, where Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of his dream of black equality in America.
Tens of thousands of African Americans, from all over the U-S, have joined the march on Capitol Hill.
SOUNDBITE:
"White men, we came here to be heard so we came here to make a noise."
SUPER CAPTION: Marcher
The marchers have come with one message - of unity among black men.
SOUNDBITE:
"This day is our day and we want to let them know that black contingent of men, women and children have a significant vote in this country.
SUPER CAPTION: Marcher
The African Americans say that what began as an idea hatched by Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan is now much more.
They're convinced the march will send a message to white America and officials in Washington that black America's role as a force for change should not be ignored.
SOUNDBITE:
"This day is our day and we want to let them know that black contingent of men, women and children have a significant vote in this country."
SUPER CAPTION: Marcher
Black men around America are being asked to reflect on the status of African Americans, to rally for a new spirit and to renew the same sense of purpose that sparked the civil rights movement more than 30 years ago.
March organisers and speakers say the march may well turn out to be one of the largest gatherings ever in the nation's capital.
Police have not released an official count yet, but organisers are confident that the magic (m) million man mark has already been reached.
SOUNDBITE:
"I love you, as of 10 o'clock this morning, we reached one (m) million black men."
SUPER CAPTION: Stokely Carmichael. Civil rights leader.
Many marchers stress that the Million Man March is about much more than Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan.
Controversy has surrounded racist remarks Farrakhan made in the run-up to the event.
But many in the crowd say they are in Washington - not to support Farrakhan but to save the idea of black brotherhood and to create a new movement.
SOUNDBITE:
"This isn't about Farrakhan, this is about respect, unity and love for the brothers. And we're trying to get something out of this, out of life. We're tired of being behind everything, we want to be in charge sometime. We want to unify and that's what this is about - unity. Look at all these brothers around here."
SUPER CAPTION: Marcher
SOUNDBITE:
"We need to do, and do it, and show the government - 'Hey, we need to have control of our destiny.'"
SUPER CAPTION: Marcher
It's not just the young who are in Washington - many participants marched for civil rights 30 years ago.
For them, the Million Man March feels almost like a reunion.
The marchers hope to take the spirit of this day back home, to pull themselves and their families up from the poverty and repression they stay still keeps them down.
Black leaders hope it's the beginning of a new political force in America.

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