Read interviews with leaders and organizers of the march, and our exclusive interview with relative of Mychal Bell
from the Jena 6.
Hear audio of the November 6, 2007 press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
Reverend Willie Wilson Inteview
On why the march is vital.... “It’s like vestiges of déjà vu. When you
look at what happened after reconstruction, when Rutherford B. Hayes was in office similar things occurred when the Supreme Court reneged on enforcing the laws, and a few years later African
Americans were being lynched again.“
“So, we’re seeing the same thing today where the government has not intervened and has been silent as events
have been taking place like the Jena 6, the torture of Megan Williams in West Virginia, and the displaying of nooses around
the country, and we must hold our government accountable for not taking a stand against these events. There is a ‘retro’
climate that is occurring, going back to an earlier period of time after reconstruction and we just cannot have it.”
On the silence of the justice department… We must do something. It’s so critical and
urgent, that we can’t wait. The onus is on them. They should have taken the initiative to get involved and they haven’t.
Everything that we’ve gotten in this country we’ve had to fight for it and it’s time to fight now for a
very serious situation that we’re dealing with. We expect the federal government to enforce laws that are designed to
protect the people.
On how effective the march will be... We expect action from the justice department and from
our own communities. Communities must become more vigilant and involved community-wide, statewide, and nationwide.
On participation for the march from entertainers and artists.... "Some are planning to participate.
I suspect that they will.
"We’ve seen some artists trying to change their approach and the way they present messages. James Brown proved
back in the 1960s that its not just negative messages, or sex and violence that sale records, it's really the pulsating, rhythmic
African beats."
"James used that with positive messages like “stay in school”, “don’t be a dropout”,
“say it loud, I’m Black and I’m proud”. Those were messages which really had a tremendous impact on
the African American community."
"I think its imperative on the part of our spiritual leadership that we work with the artists, as indeed they have
become the major preachers of this society, not only in America, but worldwide. People listen."
"I did a hip hop workshop with Russell Simmons a couple years ago and my agenda was to see how we can mesh the two
genres in a way that comes forth with positive messages that can impact the community such as learn to read, get an education.
These messages will sell with that same rhythmic beat. James Brown proved it."
"In Look Magazine back in the 60s, he [James Brown] was deemed to be the most influential African American, barr none, including civil rights
leaders because of his positive messages. With his music, we have a prototype. We just have to work and make it happen because
it can be done."
