1,300 Celebrate Anniversary of Million Man March

More than 1,300 people gathered at the Vision Theatre in Leimert Park Wednesday to celebrate the first anniversary of the Million Man March on Washington.

Starting with a morning prayer session in the park featuring Muslim and Christian religious figures, the gathering swelled and moved inside the theater to hear a live broadcast of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan’s speech at the United Nations in New York City.

Farrakhan spoke on what he proclaimed the “World Day of Atonement” to throngs in Manhattan while a rapt, standing-room-only crowd in the Los Angeles theater watched him speak on issues ranging from the black family in America to troubles in the Middle East.

Many in attendance went to last year’s march and said they felt many of the same emotions again.

“I’m getting a lot of the same feelings I felt at the march,” said John Hamilton, 25. “It helped to reaffirm the commitment we made to the community, to the family and to black women.”

“Basically, I came to relive that extremely inspirational feeling I got at the march last year,” said Gregory McNeal, 55. “Since the march, I feel there has not been a lot of easily visible improvement in the black community, but there has been a huge spiritual growth. You might not be able to see it, but it’s there.”

Even many of those who had not gone to the march were impressed by Wednesday’s gathering.

“It really gave me a good feeling,” said LaVondra Dedeaux, 21, who said she was so inspired by Farrakhan’s speech that she was considering joining the Muslim religion. As guests entered, they were thoroughly searched by members of the Fruit of Islam security force. For a few, the security was too tight.

“I don’t mind security, but get your security together,” said Donald McClure, 51, who complained that the guards were ordering people around too much. “I’m not of the sheep mentality.”

Outside after Farrakhan’s long speech, there was a festive mood on the sidewalk of 43rd Place. New and old friends mingled as vendors sold T-shirts, sweet potato pies and Muslim literature.