Nation IN BRIEF : NEW JERSEY : Politicians Counter Muhammad Speech

New Jersey’s political Establishment turned out in force to denounce bigotry in anticipation of a speech by a controversial member of the Nation of Islam. But Khallid Abdul Muhammad offered a more subdued message than expected before an audience of about 350 at Trenton State College, his first public speaking engagement in New Jersey since his Nov. 29 polemic attacking Jews, Catholics, homosexuals and some black leaders. He said that “whites have taught us that we are black because we are cursed.” But he said he did not come to teach black people how to hate whites. Politicians including Republican Gov. Christine Todd Whitman and Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Bradley earlier had attended panel discussions, made speeches and attended prayer vigils to counter Muhammad’s presence.