As Washingtonians navigate the federal officer surge and other pressures from the Trump administration, the Rev. Willie Wilson and community leaders took to Union Temple Baptist Church in Southeast D.C. to spread the good news of the 30th Anniversary Million Man March and the rebirth of Unifest, highlighting the importance of bringing people together during a challenging time for the nation’s capital, country and world.
“At a time when our people’s spirit is low, when many are frightened by the military occupation of our city, it’s a time to bring us together in a sense of community spirit of love and unity,” Wilson told The Informer. “[We want] harmony… and [hopefully the march] will have a great effect, decreasing the amount of Black on Black crime and homicide in our community.”
Before a gathering of about 50 people, Wilson and other local organizers revealed details of the upcoming Million Man March and Unifest at a news conference on Sept. 3, one week after The Informer broke the news of the events’ revival.
Senior pastor emeritus of Union Temple, Wilson emphasized the programming will offer a sense of spirituality, strength and empowerment for Black people across the District, nation and world.
“This commemoration is a call to action for our people to stand up and recommit to the values and principles of the Million Man March and Unifest,” he told the crowd. “We are honoring the past while building bridges for the future. Reconciliation and responsibility are not just themes — they are practices we must live every day.”
The 30th Anniversary Million Man March and Unifest will take place Oct. 16-18, in the midst of the District grappling with more federal interference — as the U.S. Army announced on Sept. 5 that its troops will be stationed in civilian areas and neighborhoods in D.C. until Nov. 30.
Serving as moderator for the Sept. 3 press conference, Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes underscored the important and historic nature of the two events, noting the activities that will take place will be chronicled for generations to come.
“You are the storytellers, you will tell the history,” Barnes said. “We cannot let this moment pass up.”
A Month of Programming: Million Man March and Unifest
While the signature events will take place in October, the procession of activities starts on Sept. 22 and continues Sept. 29, Oct. 6 and Oct. 13.
“What we will have on those days are Monday Morning Prayer Calls that will happen from 7 a.m.-7:15 a.m.,” Wilson said, noting prayer leaders from the D.C. area and Baltimore will participate. “The spirituality of our people must be the core of our people.”
On Oct. 12, there will be a Special Sunday Prayers for the City that will involve pastors and churches from all eight of the District’s wards.
The Special prayers service will take place on that day from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
On Oct. 13, there will be the Historic Landmark Torch Run.
“We will run from Marion Barry Avenue to the Barry Farm development,” said Wilson. “We want to hit key places in Anacostia. We also will go to the Anacostia Community Museum because we know that it is under attack.”
The actual 30th anniversary of the Million Man March on Oct. 16 includes: Unity Prayer Breakfast in Baltimore from 4-6 p.m., a Lantern Peace Walk Across the 11th Street Bridge from 4 p.m.-6:30 p.m. and Spiritual Service and Recommitment Rally from 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
“Some of us are going to Baltimore for the prayer breakfast,” said Wilson. “It is being sponsored by the Baltimore Local Organizing Committee. The Baltimore Organizing Committee was founded after the first Million Man March in 1995 and has continued to operate.”
In addition, there will be a Day of Atonement and Reconciliation Fast & Prayer taking place on Oct. 17 “from sunrise to sunset,” Wilson said. Additionally, on Oct. 18 from 7 a.m.-4 p.m., there will be an event, “Revive the Spirit of the Million Man March & Beloved Unifiest.”
“We wanted to take this to the community,” Wilson told The Informer. “We wanted to highlight the great history of this community. The Piscataway Indian Nation will be participating with us; they will do a prayer vigil. During the day on Oct. 16, we will have youth, women and a focus on the Black family.”
Local, National, International Leaders Support 30th Anniversary Events
As planning for the 30th anniversary is underway, Wilson said he spoke with the Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan, convenor of the 1995 Million Man March on the National Mall, who gave the Union Temple pastor emeritus his blessing.
Having participated in the original Million Man March, the Rev. Mark Thompson, who has strong roots in the District and lives and works in New York City, said he has learned that 30th anniversary events are happening in cities around the country.
“There will be events in New York City, Atlanta, Jackson, [Mississippi], Detroit and even Waterloo, Iowa,” Thompson told The Informer. “We have had inquiries from places such as Lubbock (Texas) and as far as away as Nairobi, Kenya. And then, there are those who are interested in traveling to D.C. for the two events.”
Other supporting organizations include the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, East River Family Strengthening Collaborative, the Anacostia Coordinating Council and Alliance of Concerned Men. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference’s (SCLC) chapter in Prince George’s County, Maryland has also signed on as a supporter.
“We will work with this,” said Josephine Mourning, SCLC Prince George’s chapter president.
Considering the challenges facing the District, particularly the federal surge, Cora Masters Barry — the District’s first lady when the 1995 march took place and an early supporter of the 30th anniversary — emphasized the importance of the commemorative programming and Unifest revival.
“We need this right now,” she declared.
While many of the speakers during the Sept. 3 press conference did not delve into politics, the Rev. George Gilbert of the Holy Trinity United Baptist Church, said he and other faith leaders have a strong mission going into the Million Man March three decades later.
“We [as a city] are in a survival mode,” he said. “Our city is targeted. Black folks are targeted.”
