Heather Curtis
WMAL.com
WASHINGTON – Black leaders pledge to fight for equal rights and an end to injustice in a powerful and emotional service at the Metropolitan AME Church in D.C. Wednesday. Religious leaders from multiple religions packed into the church to talk about the Millions for Justice mobilization in the city Oct. 9.
The mobilization is happening as part of a 20th anniversary observance of the Million Man March. Like that march, this one is also being organized by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, the leader of the religious group Nation of Islam.
“Somebody has to take up the cause for justice. Nine of our brothers and sisters are dead,” Farrakhan said referring to the slayings of nine black people during a Bible study at a church in Charleston, South Carolina earlier this month.
He then told the crowd he wants them to walk with him. People in the pews responded with a loud, “Yes, sir” followed by applause.
Screaming with passion, the Rev. Jamal Bryant, pastor of the Empowerment Temple AME Church in Baltimore, said, “Strong black people are coming to Washington, D.C., and we are coming not to sell T-shirts. We are coming to change the law.”
The day before the March, protesters will be going to Congress to talk about changing laws.
Both religious leaders spoke about the history of oppression against black people in the U.S. starting with slavery.
While political leaders and protesters have been calling for South Carolina to take down the Confederate flag flying outside the State House grounds, Farrakhan said the American flag also represents racism and oppression. He said he will not pledge allegiance to the flag.
“What’s the point of us paying allegiance to a flag under which we get no justice?” Farrakhan said.
The service ended with a Muslim prayer.
Copyright 2015 by WMAL.com. All Rights Reserved. (Photo: Heather Curtis)
