Minister Farrakhan lauds Rosa Parks

Following are excerpts from an Oct. 28 statement issued by Minister Louis Farrakhan, National Convener of the Millions More Movement

A pioneer of civil passive resistance, Rosa Parks was a woman of great courage, conviction and fortitude. Her steadfast determination to be valued as a human being ignited one of the greatest social movements of all times and served as a catalyst for so many significant social changes in America. No doubt her quiet power and dignity marked her character and gave that kind of thrust to the civil rights movement.

The gall to remain seated on a bus instead of giving her seat to a white man sparked the civil rights struggle for Blacks all over the world. What she did in Montgomery, Alabama, in a moment of passive defiance erupted into a diverse outpouring of unity and purpose that has been carried forth through to this day.

We pause to remember and salute a fallen leader who always thought more of others than herself. Her life symbolizes the foundation for the Millions More Movement, which calls us to unity by bringing forth the best usages of our time, talents and resources for the greater good of the poor. We are challenged to embellish and embody the spirit and purpose of Rosa Parks to alleviate the new Jim Crowism and stronger bastion of prejudice, segregation and terror that exist in our society as well as to eradicate hopelessness, joblessness, homelessness and lack of educational opportunities in our neighborhoods, which are the tasks of the Millions More Movement.

In honor and memory of the one who ushered in the Movement, we stand paused to continue the struggle for justice, fairness, and equality. As she takes her exit, we enter into the next level to mobilize our people and maximize our economic, political and social power.