BY AL DUNCAN

NEW YORK - Some 1,200 people marched to the United Nations in "A Call For Action against church bombings, police brutality, and racial injustice" July 28. The protest was called to commemorate the July 28, 1917, silent march against lynchings that was organized and led by W.E.B. Du Bois, a founder of the NAACP. The 1996 march was called to protest the burning of 70 Black churches in the South that have been torched in the last 18 months.

"People should get involved," said Harriet Lewis, a transit worker . "We need unity to fight the attacks on affirmative action, welfare, and bad working conditions."

A contingent from the 6,000 striking hospital workers of Service International Employees Union Local 144 participated in the protest. "No Justice, No Peace," chanted the marchers, who were majority Black and included a sizable layer of youth. Speakers included Rev. Al Sharpton; Pam Africa, of the International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal; Conrad Muhammad of the Nation of Islam; and Rev. Calvin Butts, of Abyssinian Baptist Church.  
 
 
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