BALTIMORE�City council members proudly passed Resolution 215 endorsing the upcoming Million Family March (MFM). By doing so, Baltimore earned the honorable distinction of being the first city council to officially endorse the observance of the 5th anniversary of the Million Man March, this one to focus on family.

Several days later, Milwaukee City Council president Marvin Pratt announced that a similar resolution would be passed in support of the Oct. 16, 2000 march.

The Baltimore resolution, entered on June 14, sent a much needed jolt into a city besieged with disunited Black political leadership and an apathetic community.

During the past six months, Baltimore, whose population is 60 percent Black, elected a white mayor; witnessed the appointment of a new white police commissioner from New York City; watched as in-house fighting by state legislators killed a racial profiling bill, while simultaneously singling out historically-Black Morgan State University for a state audit and, most recently, saw the appointment of a new white school superintendent from Florida.

In addition, the city has been dubbed America�s murder and drug capital.

"We can only be Willie Lynched if we allow ourselves to be," said Ertha Harris, the co-convener of the Baltimore Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the Million Family March, referring to the divide-and-conquer technique of slave holders. "This step by the city council is a step in the right direction, and can help to turn things around."

National MFM director and Nation of Islam East Coast Regional Minister Benjamin Muhammad led a delegation of community supporters�including Mid-Atlantic region march coordinator Minister Abdul Khadir Muhammad and state convener Dr. Reverend John L. Wright�to a city hall press conference and reception, where he later addressed the city council meeting.

"I�m thankful to almighty God for the leadership of the city council for officially embracing the Million Family March and National Agenda," said Min. Benjamin.

"We have to do more than look good, we have to be good and do good," he said as he introduced the programmatic plan of action to the council.

It was a sight to behold touted an onlooker, as council members stood with the Nation of Islam and pledged their support in march mobilization efforts.

"We will do everything in our power to help send as many families as we can while working to establish on-going programs and assistance that focuses on the family," Council President Sheila Dixon told the press. Councilman Melvin Stukes, who led the introduction of the resolution, urged that it be immediately adopted.

"Blood is thicker than water and when we strengthen self we strengthen family, then community, city, state, nation and world," he told his peers.

The resolution had 10 sponsors of a 19-member council and was adopted unanimously with bi-racial support.

"For the purpose of recognizing the fifth anniversary of the Million Man March, October 16, 2000, when families of all shades and hues will march in devout unity in celebration of the basic principles of freedom, justice and equality and the enduring strength of the human spirit, as a Million Family March Day," the resolution says, in part.

State Senator Clarence Mitchell IV stood with Council President Dixon in support of their endorsement. Muhammad Mosque No. 6 Min. Carlos Muhammad of Baltimore told The Final Call that the events serve as a divine reminder of the message of Min. Farrakhan. "Baltimore will never be what it truly can until Black leadership is united. This gesture being expressed bears witness that this is the season for atonement and reconciliation and the united support behind the national agenda will allow us to represent God-centered politics with a program of peace put before Congress," he said.

Min. Benjamin�s one-day visit to Milwaukee included the city�s second Town Hall meeting sponsored by the LOC and Muhammad Mosque No. 3 and other local media appearances.

"The Reason the Million Man March was so successful in 1995 was because we put God at the center as our focus. If we do the same later this year, we will find that same success and more," he said on the popular "Morning Magazine Radio Show" hosted by local personality Eric Von.

Making Appearances on NBC and ABC affiliate stations, Min. Benjamin called on not just Blacks to join the march, but Native Americans, Latinos, Asians, Arabs and whites to help facilitate the renewal of communities throughout the state of Wisconsin.

County Board Supervisor Joe Davis, Rev. Maurice Lawrence of True Family Values Ministries, Alderpersons Marlene Johnson-Odom and Willie Hines, Patricia A. Zamarripa of the Spanish Journal, representatives for the League of Martin as well as members of the LOC joined Min. Benjamin at a City Hall press conference.

Council President Marvin Pratt announced that a resolution would be passed in support of the Million Family March. Min. Benjamin informed the press that the city council of Baltimore and organizations such as the NAACP, the National Urban League, all nine major fraternal Greek organizations as well as Hispanic groups have also given their support to the March and the National Agenda.

Min. Benjamin ended the press conference reminding all who were in attendance that the city of Milwaukee must be "family friendly" in order to be successful in this new millennium and that public policy must reflect the needs of a developing community.