Million Youth March in Harlem Draws About 2,000, Stays Peaceful
The second Million Youth March drew about 2,000 people to the streets of Harlem on Saturday after weeks of name-calling and a legal tug of war between organizers and city officials.
The rally was calm in contrast to last year’s march, which ended in a bottle-throwing melee and 28 injuries after police in riot gear tried to enforce a court-ordered curfew.
Organizers opened Saturday’s rally with a prayer, and most of the speakers offered uplifting messages encouraging black youths to stay in school and to treat one another with dignity.
“Whose streets? Our streets!” shouted one group of marchers, although most of the participants were more subdued.
The rally was monitored by 1,500 police officers, some stationed on rooftops. No conflicts were reported.
Before this year’s march, organizer Khallid Abdul Muhammad labeled Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani a “cracker” after the mayor called the rally a “hate march.” Organizers took the city to court to get a permit for the rally when city officials turned them down.
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