The Final Call

Cyclists for peace ride nearly 800 miles to stand for justice

By Toure Muhammad -Contributing Writer- | Last updated: Oct 26, 2015 - 9:45:52 AM

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Members of The Cycle of Peace organization rode bikes from Chicago to Washington, DC. Photo: Toure Muhammad

WASHINGTON (FinalCall.com) - Most Chicagoans responded to the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan’s call to join him in Washington, D.C. for the 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March by booking planes, trains, buses and automobiles, but not The Cycle of Peace organization.

Cyclists traveled 800 miles to participate in the 20th Anniversary of the million man march.

Nicolaus David, Lalibela Emmanuel and Azubile Akunne rode their bicycles nearly 800-miles from Chicago to D.C. to attend this historic Justice Or Else event.

The cyclists started their journey at the Nation of Islam’s flagship Chicago mosque in the early morning of Sept. 28. The journey took them through Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maryland. They arrived in D.C. on Oct. 9.

The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan acknowledges members of The Cycle of Peace organization during his address ‘The Way Forward; Justice Or Else! Part 2’ at Mosque Maryam in Chicago, IL Oct. 18. Photo: Haroon Rajaee

“The journey was so beautiful. We saw God at work,” said Mr. David, the organization’s founder, who had five tire blowouts during the ride. The team faced hurricane winds in Ohio but were not deterred. They changed tires, rode in formation and played to each other’s strengths and weaknesses and pressed on.

Communities along the way gave them encouragement and support, including several fire stations that allowed them to stay overnight.

“We were shown love from people you’d less likely expect to get love from. One guy with the Confederate flag in his window, when he found out what we were doing, gave us a $20 donation,” said Mr. David.

Pained by the tremendous level of youth violence, lack of proper nutrition and an apathetic attitude in the community, this is their way of honoring the Million Man March anniversary.

“This represents a unique opportunity to galvanize the community around a consciousness of healthy lifestyles, meditative peace and the ideology that we begin to change the world by first changing ourselves,” said Mr. David.

The Cycle of Peace is committed to preparing youth for success. For more information, go to http://www.thecycleofpeace.org/