The Final Call | National News

Million Man March 18th anniversary set for Tuskegee, Alabama

By Ashahed M. Muhammad -Asst. Editor- | Last updated: Aug 28, 2013 - 10:11:50 AM

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CHICAGO - During his weekly online broadcast which aired August 24, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan officially announced the 18th Anniversary of the Million Man March and Holy Day of Atonement will be held in Tuskegee, Alabama.

The famed Tuskegee Square will be the location of the Minister’s keynote address scheduled to take place on October 20th.

“That is the place from which I will announce the bank and the accounts that you can begin sending your monies to, that we will begin to start the process of economic development not for a group, but economic development for a whole nation of people,” said Min. Farrakhan.

During his February 2013 Saviours’ Day keynote address titled: “Muhammad’s Economic Blueprint: Ending Poverty and Want” Minister Farrakhan presented a clear plan for those ready to work to establish an independent, self-determined Black nation.

He asked those wishing to be actively involved to begin saving at least 35 cents a week by putting loose change in a bottle, jar, bowl, or bucket. Many across the United States and abroad have done just that, and during this year’s Holy Day of Atonement observance, the next steps will be announced.

Time was needed to deal with the logistics and security considerations dealing with managing the money of the people, especially during this time of economic uncertainty, and with financial swindlers running rampant in America.

Minister Farrakhan said he is well aware of those concerns.

“This is so serious with us, that anyone that is in a fiduciary responsibility will have to sign a form that will give us the right to take their lives should they be guilty of stealing the peoples’ money,” said Min. Farrakhan. “I will pledge my life first, then anyone who will come on board to help, they will have to pledge their lives, and we have those among us that will honor that pledge—for if you try and rob our people, then there must be a penalty for this; because too many liars and thieves have been among us, and to attempt to rob our people of their future is worthy of death,” he added.

During his last visit to Tuskegee, in March of this year, the Minister delivered a message of empowerment and was warmly embraced by university officials, students, political, community, and religious leaders. In fact, Tuskegee Mayor Johnny Ford named Min. Farrakhan “Honorary Mayor of Tuskegee for Life.” Though some Jewish leaders were unhappy with Min. Farrakhan’s presence, their efforts and weak protestations were drowned out by overwhelming support from student organizations who stood strong.

The Minister said he considers Tuskegee University “a prime university” among the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (“HBCUs”).

Although the Minister was only in Tuskegee for a couple of days, it seemed like more because of the number of events and speaking engagements. He placed wreaths at the graves of Booker T. Washington and George Washington Carver, who are buried on the grounds of Tuskegee University in very close proximity to one another. He toured the historical archives on the campus paying special attention to the story behind the immortal HeLa cells of Henrietta Lacks and the consequences of such research and other forms of experimentation conducted by the government there, while also marveling at the research archives of George Washington Carver. He wrapped up his time in the city taking a trip to visit a museum dedicated to telling the full story of the famed Tuskegee Airmen.

Because of Booker T. Washington’s views on economic thrift and advancement, and George Washington Carver’s scientific discoveries and innovations, it is only fitting that the Nation of Islam would return to Tuskegee to launch the process by which Black people can achieve economic strength.

Minister Farrakhan pointed to the example of the Jewish people. Although Jews faced discrimination, they never “sat in,” “prayed in,” or “kneeled-in.” They stayed focused on following a unified path leading them to unrivaled economic power that continues to this very day.

“They stayed on an economic course, became wealthy and powerful, and parlayed wealth and power and influence into political domination of the American scene,” he added.

(More information regarding the 18th Anniversary of the Million Man March and Holy Day of Atonement observance including schedule of events and lodging will be listed in future editions of The Final Call and also at the Nation of Islam’s official website www.noi.org.)