New York, NY, October 26, 1995...The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today released a report on the hate-filled Black Holocaust Nationhood Conference held in Washington the weekend of the Million Man March by supporters of Nation of Islam (NOI) leader Louis Farrakhan. The Other Face of Farrakhan: A Hate-Filled Prelude to the Million Man March documents the outpouring of racism and anti-Semitism of several well-known black militants over a two-day period before audiences of up to 2,000 black men and women. Many of the attendees were young people.

"For two days the conference halls rang with raw bigotry," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "The rhetoric of violence and hate boomed from reinstated Nation of Islam minister Khalid Muhammad, NOI's National Youth Minister Quanell X, and other well-known extremists." Mr. Foxman said the "roster of bigots" also included City College of New York professor Leonard Jeffries, Wellesley College professor Tony Martin, radical New York attorney Alton Maddox and former Chicago mayoral aide Steve Cokely.

The atmosphere in the two Washington, DC high schools where the conference was held was permeated by the racist, anti-Semitic, anti-Catholic, threatening and pro-Farrakhan rhetoric of the various speakers. "We want to try the white man today.... We want to keep this cracker on death row with no possibility for a stay of execution," declared keynote speaker Khalid Muhammad, who received thunderous applause and cheers from the crowd. He went on: "Who in the hell is the Pope of Rome? He's an imposter, he's an idol, he's a false icon that must be torn down." Taking aim at the Jews, he said: "Look at it, so-called Jew. Look at it, imposter Jew. Somebody must call you what you are.... I will give you hell from the cradle to the grave."

Conference participants regarded themselves as the militant contingent of the upcoming march, according to the ADL report. "We are right in line and in tune with the Million Man March leadership," said Malik Zulu Shabazz, conference organizer and head of the sponsoring group, Unity Nation. "This is a Farrakhan stronghold," Shabazz told the audience, which erupted in chants of "Farrakhan, Farrakhan."

"Clearly, the extremism of the Black Holocaust Nationhood Conference contrasted sharply with the broad-based Million Man March," said Mr. Foxman, "where the overwhelming majority of men on the Mall came together to embrace the themes of atonement, responsibility and solidarity."

(more)Mr. Foxman noted that while march co-organizer Benjamin Chavis disavowed any connection between the two events, "we have yet to hear Minister Farrakhan criticize the conference or disown both the message and the messengers, including NOI officials."

Editors Note: The Other Face of Farrakhan: A Hate-Filled Prelude to the Million Man March is available on-line on NEXIS search code USNWR and from the ADL Public Relations Department.

Also available is a video of selected portions of the conference, (not cleared for on-air use)

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.