PHILADELPHIA (FinalCall.com)�Min. Rodney Muhammad�s war against malt liquor and "Stop N Go" retail stores that profit in its sale took a giant step forward as he and other witnesses went before a State House committee on July 25 at City Hall.

During his testimony, Min. Rodney characterized malt liquor as "liquid crack" that is devastating not only the lives of young and old people, but entire communities.

Min. Rodney heads Muhammad Mosque No. 12 in Philadelphia and is the Delaware Valley regional representative of the Nation of Islam.

Through his community organization, CRAC (Citizens Reform Action Committee), he was chiefly responsible for the House Democratic Policy Committee decision to come to the city and conduct a hearing as part of its investigation into the sale and consumption of malt liquor in minority communities.

Other witnesses agreed with his assertion that companies manufacture, advertise and distribute malt liquor to target Black communities.

They also charged Stop N Go retail delis often sell to minors and intoxicated people, and promote outside urinating by denying customers the use of rest rooms. There was a near unanimous call for greater state control over the sale of malt liquor and for the state to enforce current laws.

The Wister Neighborhood Council, Inc. opposes malt liquor sales and said it contributes to crack cocaine use. "All malt liquor does is feed this cancer," the group said.

Often sold in 40-oz. bottles two for $3 some malt liquor has twice the alcohol content of regular beer, the Rev. LeRoi Simmons said during his testimony. Each morning he is reminded of the need to control malt liquor as he arrives for work at his office in the Germantown section of the city.

"I see several persons, young, old, male, female, students, workers and homeless with only one thing in common. They are throwing back a 40-oz. brew to get their day started. Many of them are still sitting there when I leave at the end of the day, unable to move."

Min. Rodney also testified about alcohol advertising and underage youth. Alcohol companies invest up to $2 billion all designed to position their products in the market place, he said.

"Just think of the universal popularity of the Budweiser frogs and lizards, of today�s hip hop greeting, �Wassup.� Millions of children and teens watch television when beer ads are airing, they see billboards on their way to church and school. The message they get is drinking beer will fill one�s life with friends, women, fun and success," he said.

"The reality is 1/3 of high school seniors binge every two weeks, and substantial numbers of younger teens�more than 21 percent of 10th graders and 8.4 percent of 8th graders report having been drunk within the past 30 days," Min. Rodney noted.

J. Whyatt Mondesire, president of the Philadelphia branch of the NAACP, said in his testimony that consumption of malt liquor "leads to the social desolation of inner-city neighborhoods because young people see adults� negative behavior and they pick it up and carry it on."

In a counter argument, Prince Gilliard, president of the Philadelphia Licensed Merchants and Tavern Association, said malt liquor profits are vital to the hundreds of taverns, bars and clubs represented by his organization.

"In many of our establishments malt liquor comprises 10 to 15 percent of overall sales. Losing those sales could make a heavy impact on our members," he said. "There are already plenty laws on the books in which to deal with this problem," Mr. Gilliard argued.

Others who participated in the hearing were Police Committee Chairperson Victor J. Lescovitz, State Representative John Myers and State Representative Lena Washington.