Washington, D.C., is preparing to host an anniversary march for African-Americans Saturday, 10 years after the first Million Man March came to the city as a black men's unity rally.
Organizers are now calling it the "Millions More Movement" and are expanding it to include African-American women.
Speaking at a news conference Thursday in Washington, Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan expressed hope that the rally will empower minorities to help themselves first -- before relying on government assistance.
Mr. Farrakhan stirred controversy last month when he suggested the levees that broke in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina were deliberately blown up as part of a government plot to destroy black neighborhoods in the city. There has been no evidence showing intentional destruction of the levees.
The disaster affected a large number of underprivileged African-Americans, and is expected to be a major focus of the march.
Activities begin at 5:30 a.m. local time Saturday and will feature speeches by prominent leaders in many fields, including politics, the arts and religion.
Some information for this report provided by AP.
