NBJC accepts request to be ‘co-convener’ of Millions More event
By LOU CHIBBARO JR.
Friday, August 26, 2005
Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan has invited the nation’s largest African-American gay civil rights organization to become one of about 100 co-conveners of the Millions More Movement rally, which is expected draw thousands of blacks to Washington, D.C. on Oct. 15.
In a letter dated Aug. 15, Farrakhan invited the National Black Justice Coalition to take on the duties of a co-convener, which includes recruiting participants for the rally and helping organize the event on the local and national levels. The group said it received the letter Aug. 23.
H. Alexander Robinson, executive director of the NBJC, said he sent Farrakhan an immediate letter of response accepting the invitation. Robinson said his letter called on Farrakhan to arrange for a lesbian and gay man to speak at a rally on the National Mall, which will commemorate the 10th anniversary of Farrakhan’s 1995 Million Man March.
. . .
A symbolic gesture?
Black gay leaders had mixed views over the significance of Farrakhan’s invitation to the NBJC, with some calling it historic and others expressing caution, saying it appeared to be little more than symbolism.
morehttp://washingtonblade.com/2005/8-26/news/localnews/farrakhan.cfm