With stops by national director Min. Benjamin F. Muhammad in Detroit and Cleveland, interest in and endorsement of the Million Family March (MFM) continues to build.

In Cleveland June 22-24, Min. Benjamin shared news that the Congressional Black Caucus has endorsed the Million Family March and that CBC Chair James Clyburn (D-S.C.) has appointed a MFM Task Force to work with organizers.

Speaking with The Final Call, Min. Benjamin said the Task Force includes Rep. Earl Hilliard (D-Ala.), who acts as chair; Rep. Eva Clayton (D-N.C.); Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.); Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.); and Rep. Corrine Brown (D-Fla.).

"The Million Family March and Congressional Black Caucus will work together in a massive voter education and registration drive," Min. Benjamin said. "Our goal is to register one million new voters by October 16, the day of the march."

Min. Benjamin added that the first effort after the march will be a joint CBC/MFM get-out-the-vote movement for the Nov. 7 elections. He said a report card on office holders will be issued at the march to reveal whether their policies have been "family friendly."

Min. Benjamin said that some of the public policies outlined in the MFM National Agenda document have previously been endorsed by the CBC and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

He noted that some members of the Hispanic Caucus also have endorsed the march.

Speaking to a Town Hall meeting audience at Cleveland State University, Min. Benjamin said the spirit of the MFM cannot be comprehended "unless you go back to the Million Man March." The spirit of both, he said, "is the Spirit of God. The Million Family March is a spiritual movement calling all families to get right with God."

Joined by Min. Richard Muhammad, the local representative at Muhammad Mosque No. 18, Min. Benjamin recalled the description of the Million Man March as being "a glimpse of heaven on earth," wherein there was no alcohol, no drugs and no cursing or fighting. The MFM, he said, will be a wider glimpse of heaven to include women, children and the entire family.

"When the man gets right with God, the family gets right with God. But if you leave the man out of the equation, it is hard for the family to get right," he said.

During his Cleveland visit, the MFM was endorsed by the Coalition for Racial Justice, a division of the 1.9 million member United Church of Christ.

In a series of meetings June 28 arranged by Min. Dawud Muhammad and Muhammad Mosque No. 1 in Detroit, Min. Benjamin met with an array of organizations and local political leaders.

During a morning meeting at the Williams Recreation Center with members of the Black nationalist community, Ron Scott of Project B.A.I.T., Paul Taylor of the Inner-City Sub Center and Women of Action, Min. Benjamin discussed the purpose and need for the march and answered questions. One question prompted extended discussion on the need for the march to address various tragedies in Africa and there was emphasis on getting youth, entertainers and athletes involved in the MFM.

At an early afternoon meeting at the Museum of African-American History, local clergy, the local NAACP, representatives of the city council and staff and a Black-owned television station addressed Min. Benjamin on the march. During the meeting, Councilwoman Brenda Scott endorsed the march and pledged to present the city council with a resolution in support of the march.

"I welcome the Million Family March, anything I can do, I�m willing to do," said Councilwoman Scott.

In a round-table discussion, Min. Benjamin reviewed the impact of the Million Family March. Pastor Robert Smith echoed Min. Benjamin�s sentiments about the historic 1995 march, adding that his male membership increased significantly after the Million Man March.

The climax of the trip was a town hall meeting June 28 at the Williams Center, where Min. Benjamin explained the purpose of the march, to be held Oct. 16, the fifth anniversary of the Million Man March, and introduced the march National Agenda, which outlines public policy positions as a blueprint for solving social, economic and political challenges faced by the Black community, and America in general.

He told Detroiters that the march is aimed at highlighting the need for families to be strengthened spiritually and through "family friendly" political decisions, ranging from increased affordable housing, better wages, improved education and economic development.

Min. Benjamin also stressed the need for youth to play integral roles in organizing, convening and follow-up for the march.

"If you look at the condition of the Black family, I see no point where we can disagree or resist gathering together," said Min. Dawud.

Following Min. Benjamin�s remarks, questions were taken from the audience and others spoke.

"Min. Farrakhan has started something that will never stop," said Mother Work, a longtime community NAACP activist. She also agreed that young people had to participate in the march.

Endorsements came from the Detroit Muslim Center, the Muslim Political Action Committee, Rev. Jim Holley of New Bethal Baptist Church, Paul Taylor and the Inner City Sub Center and Ron Scott of Project BAIT.

(Reported by Adrienne Muhammad in Cleveland and Martin Muhammad in Detroit.)