WHO'S IN, AND WHO'S OUT
Washington, D.C. -- Prominent black leaders supporting the march include
Jesse Jackson, former NAACP head Benjamin Chavis and D.C. Mayor Marion Barry.
Many opposed it, including Congressman John L. Lewis; Mary Frances Berry,
chairperson of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights; and Michael Meyers of the New
York Civil Rights Coalition. As Berry put it last week: "I do not trust Louis
Farrakhan and Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. to lead us to the Promised Land."
"There has been an attempt to separate the message and the magnitude of
this march from the messenger. We're not going to let that happen." --
Benjamin Chavis, former NAACP director and executive director of the
march.
"I know it's hard when you've been shackled, but stand up black man. ...
Some of us would rather stand on our feet than die on our knees." -- The
Rev. Al Sharpton.
"I am somebody! Protect me. Respect me. Never neglect me." -- The
Rev. Jesse Jackson, urging the crowd to repeat his words.
"The night has been long. The wound has been deep. The pit has been
dark. And the walls have been steep . . . Draw near to one another. Save your
race." -- Poet Maya Angelou.
"Let our choices be for life, for protecting our women, our children,
keeping our brothers free of drugs, free of crime." -- Baltimore Mayor Kurt
Schmoke.
"All for one, one for all. There's no way we will reach our greatest height
unless we heed the call." -- Singer Stevie Wonder.
One who did not attend: General Colin Powell:
"I was concerned my presence on the stage with Farrakhan would give
him a level of credibility I would not like to have seen."
Million Man March
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