PHILADELPHIA--Under the umbrella of the Citizen Reform Action Coalition, several powerful local organizations came together on April 12 for a town meeting and pledged support for the Million Family March planned for October 16 in Washington, D.C.

Attended by several hundred people, the meeting was held at District Council 33 union hall. The same site was used successfully in the local organization of the historic Million Man March, and union leaders, clergy, the NAACP, the International Family and Friends of Mumia Abu Jamal joined organizing efforts started by the Nation of Islam's Muhammad Mosque No. 12.

"Why a family march? We need to have independent ideas and values," said Mosque No. 12 Minister Rodney Muhammad, who also serves as Delaware Valley Regional Minister for the Nation of Islam, and is coordinator for the Citizens Reform Action Coalition, a group campaigning to have malt liquor banned in the city.

He noted that the Black community has failed to mature and become independent, with dependence setting the stage for all manner of social ill, including alcoholism, cocaine and heroin addiction.

"What happens when a people are raped and internalized with a false religion and idea?" asked Min. Rodney. "God is intervening today and calling the family together," he said.

Union leader Henry Nicholas, of Local 1199C, who broke from important contract negotiations to attend the meeting, again pledged his total support for the march. Mr. Nicholas was one of the primary local organizers of the Million Man March, putting up thousands of dollars early for bus transportation and medical facilities on the mall in Washington.

"I came here this evening because it was important. What was important to me last time was it was the first time that we paid our own way and it felt good," he said.

"In our city and our state, the agenda gives rise that we should mobilize at a maximum level. I am praying for five million families to show up. We have to organize more than we did the last time. I am 1,000 percent behind this march," Mr. Nicholas declared.

Jerry Mondesire, president of the local NAACP branch and editor/owner of the Philadelphia Sun newspaper, said his organization is also on board. Invoking the name of the late state Representative David P. Richardson, who was instrumental in early organization of the Million Man March, Mr. Mondesire remarked that while Mr. Nicholas brought money, State Representative Richardson brought spirit to the effort.

"The Sun put up $1,000 in 1995. We will double that in 2000. If we are to move and advance as a people the family must be rejuvenated," said Mr. Mondesire.

The Reverend Benjamin Green, pastor and founder of the Abiding Truth Ministries, spoke of the importance of becoming socially active in the community. He also noted that at the Million Man March, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan requested that those in attendance join a church, mosque, synagogue, or find a place for spiritual fulfillment.

Pam Africa, of the International Family and Friends of Mumia Abu Jamal, expressed her full support of the march. "We have no money but we can bring people," she said.