Nation of Islam calls for rally to mark Million Man March anniversary

Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan said he planned to hold a Millions for Justice march in the nation's capital this autumn, 20 years after the Million Man March.

During a speech at Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in downtown Washington, Farrakhan said he intended to hold the rally on October 10 on the National Mall, scene of the 1995 march.

The Million Man March was held in Washington on October 16, 1995. Its goal, organisers said, was to encourage black men to make firmer commitments to family values and community uplift. It is among the largest political gatherings in American history, although there were disputes over the size of the crowd. Crowd estimates ranged from 400,000 to nearly 1.1 million.

Organisers said they aimed to stage a more inclusive event than the one in 1995, which was billed as a men-only event.

"This is the time our people must see our unity," Farrakhan said. "Let's make 10/10/15 a meeting place for those who want justice, for those who know what justice is."

Benjamin Chavis, former executive director of the NAACP civil rights group, who helped organise the original Million Man March, said he was optimistic that this year's turnout would be "in excess of a million". He said the event's success would be measured more by its political and socioeconomical impact.