Excitement builds as travelers from far and wide finalize plans to coverage on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Million Man March. The gathering, themed “Justice or Else,” is scheduled to take place October 10, 2015 beginning at the West Steps of the U.S. Capitol.
“Justice or Else” is for all who have been suffering oppression and injustice, including Native Americans, Latinos, women, veterans, and poor Whites. The Justice or Else movement’s demands are clear. It wants land and justice for Blacks in America who have given her 460 years of sweat and blood to make it rich and powerful, an immediate end to police brutality and mob attacks, justice for Mexicans and Latinos, for women, the poor, the incarcerated, and veterans.
As soon as Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan made the call for unity, supporters hit the streets, began blasting social media, and took to radio and TV airwaves to mobilize people for the demonstration.
They’ve amped up the efforts as the final countdown approaches, and support for Justice or Else continues to grow. A big highlight of Justice or Else is its demand for justice for Native Americans.
Hemoc Xelup, national director for the National Association for the Advancement of Indigenous People said Native Americans across the U.S. suffer the same plight and abuse as Blacks in urban communities, such as abuse by law enforcement and the government. He has been watching Minister Farrakhan develop the agenda for Justice or Else and supports it fully, he stated.
“That agenda covers issues for both the African American and the Native American. NAAIP has been working with the Native American communities in order to help to re-firm and rebuild the Native American community the way that it should have been from the beginning,” Mr. Xelup said. In a video posted on www.justiceorelse.com, he, along with Everette Muhammad and Wampatuck Wômpimeequin in Providence, Rhode Island, appealed to all Native Americans across the country to be in Washington, D.C. on 10/10/15 as Minister Farrakhan puts forth the demand for justice.
Locally, Student Minister Brother Tony Muhammad and Nation of Islam Muhammad Mosque #27 hosted Indigenous Peoples Day on October 4. Hector Perez Pacheco of the Aztlan Mexica Nation Harmony Circle led the day of discussion and a Q&A about the history and heroes of the Indigenous People.
During “Bridging the Gap to Unite the Original People,” Mr. Pacheco introduced various Indigenous cultures to the community. Afterward, they led a community push throughout South L.A.
“It is important for us to share our native culture. The reason we went to the community is to see unity in action,” said Mr. Pacheco.
