Thousands Celebrate Family Unity in Washington,D.C.

Demonstrating unity and empowerment for families, thousands took to the Mall in Washington, D.C., to mark the fifth anniversary of the Million Man March.

Organizers of Monday's Million Family March, led by Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis Farrakhan, hope to mobilize families in what they say is a society suffering from a lack of strong family-oriented values.

Though the crowd fell short of the million mark, many of those who attended said they felt energized by the host of speakers, musicians and religious leaders of many faiths who appeared on the steps of the nation's Capitol.

Several attendees said they believe the march will lead to many positive changes and will not be just a day to gather publicly.

Many of the speakers encouraged attendees to get out to vote Nov. 7. No candidates were endorsed Monday by the Nation of Islam, though march organizers promoted a family-friendly agenda.

March organizers issued a 156-page agenda that addresses issues including welfare, Social Security reform, substance-abuse prevention and education. Among those taking the podium Monday were Martin Luther King III, National Council of African-American Women President Dorothy Height and several religious leaders.

Along with rabbis and ministers of other faiths, Farrakhan presided over a mass "sacred marriage blessing" for several dozen already married couples.

Stages in front of the White House and the Lincoln Memorial drew only handfuls of people, while most of the crowd gathered between the Washington Monument and the Capitol.

Parents, grandparents and children gathered in clusters with lawn chairs and blankets to picnic and listen. Hundreds of vendors hocked T-shirts, incense, perfume oils, license plates and dozens of other products commemorating the march.

Dozens of chartered buses drove through the night from places around the country. The event consisted of mostly African-Americans, but Asians and Hispanics were scattered throughout. Several groups held Unification Church signs, symbolizing the co-sponsorship of the march by the Rev. Sun Myung Moon.





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