PHILADELPHIA(http://www.finalcall.com)�A city councilman is the latest ally of Minister Rodney Muhammad, the Delaware Valley regional representative of Minister Louis Farrakhan and minister of Muhammad Mosque No. 12 here who issued a clarion call in the Black community to end the sale of "liquid crack," the term he applies to malt liquor.

Councilman Darrell Clarke has sponsored a bill calling for the tightening of regulations on establishments that sell malt liquor, the infamous "stop-n-go" type stores. The bill, which came out of the Rules Committee a few weeks ago, prohibits loitering in front of these establishments and requires owners to maintain garbage receptacles within five feet of their stores.

"I introduced this ordinance to remedy one of the major problems that severely affects many of the neighborhoods throughout this city, particularly in low-income communities," Councilman Clarke said. "In many of these neighborhoods, establishments that sell malt liquor tend to create nuisances."

Councilman Clarke observed that many of the establishments are centers for criminal activities. "Drug dealers stand out in front of them. People drink beer in front of these stores. Crap games are played on the sides of theses stores. The number of people loitering in front of theses stores essentially create a concentrated air of negative activity that frightens people in the community in which they exist," Councilman Clarke stated.

Throughout Minister Rodney�s campaign, he has hammered home the point that these stores also cater to children. This point was not lost on Councilman Clarke as he added, "While maintaining items typical of a small corner store, for example, individually wrapped candy and toys and arcade games, many in the low-income and minority communities also are lined with sexually suggestive posters exhorting patrons to by alcohol. This is a frightening contradiction that is all too common."

Also joining Councilman Clarke in poignant testimony before city council on the matter were State Senator Shirley Kitchen (D-Phila.), civic leader Gladys Mead, the Rev. William King, pastor of United Church of Christ, and Capt. Cynthia Dorsey of the 23rd Police District.

On the national scene two weeks ago, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL), while meeting in Baltimore, passed a resolution sponsored by Pennsylvania State Rep. LeAnna Washington (D-Phila.) denouncing the disproportionate availability and consumption of malt liquor in Black communities.

"African Americans comprise nearly 75 percent of the malt liquor market," she said. "The drink itself exceeds the federal government standard for moderate alcohol consumption, and one 40 ounce can has the same effect as six 12 ounce cans of beer."

Meanwhile Minister Rodney Muhammad told The Final Call that he was "elated" with the recent developments but ultimately intends to have the people of Philadelphia decide the matter.

"I think that an attempt to enact an ordinance responding to "stop-n-go�s" in the city speaks volumes to the frustration that the people of Philadelphia have had for a very long time. It is good to see that the elected official body is beginning to do something about it," Minister Rodney said.

"Of course some of the things that Councilman Clarke will be addressing in his bill will not be hitting home to what we were really after. We are not as much after the stop-n-go�s at this phase of our fight as much as we are after the 40 ounce malt liquor. We are convinced that the bread and butter of the stop-n-go are the 40 ounce fortified malt liquors. If that can be banned and no longer in the stop-n-go, then the kind of traffic that we see�the delinquency and criminal acts and violent acts�would begin to disappear," he related.

In reference to the actions from the NBCSL, Minister Rodney was equally elated and felt it was important because it takes the issue back home to their states which has the potential to draw national attention to the debate.

In concluding his comments Minister Rodney noted that State Rep. LeAnna Washington has been working very closely with him in trying to shape legislation to bring the ballot question on malt liquor sales to the citizens of Philadelphia. To give the citizens a chance to vote out the 40oz. "menace."