Million Man March

The Million Man March was an African American march of protest and unity convened by Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan in Washington, DC on October 16, 1995. The actual number of participants is disputed by critics. The event included efforts to register African Americans to vote in US Elections and increase black involvement in volunteerism and community activism. Speakers also offered a strong criticism of the conservative offensive of Republicans after the 1994 congressional elections (most notably the Contract with America), characterized as an attack on programs like welfare, Medicaid, housing programs, student aid programs and education programs.

Speakers

Speakers at the rally on the National Mall included:

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• U.S. Rep. Charlie Rangel - House of Representatives
• Donald Payne - Congressional Black Caucus
• Rosa Parks - American Civil Rights Movement heroine
• Maya Angelou - Author and Poet
• Cornel West - Intellectual
• Rev. Jesse Jackson - Civil Rights Leader
• Benjamin Chavis - Civil Rights Leader
• Stevie Wonder - Singer
• Isaac Hayes - Singer
• Hammer - Rapper
• Louis Farrakhan - Nation of Islam leader
• Kurt Schmoke - Mayor of Baltimore
• Marion Barry - Mayor of Washington, D.C.