WASHINGTON (WUSA9) -- As thousands of people are expected to rally Saturday to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Million Man March, those who attended the event in 1995 are reflecting on the changes, or lack thereof in some cases, made since the march.
While Saturday's "Justice or Else" rally is producing less controversy and less hype than its predecessor, thousands of people are still expected on Capitol Hill with a message of progress.
"A lot has changed, a lot remains the same. We're seeing some of the same challenges we saw 20 years ago we see today in the same context," Curley Dossman of 100 Black Men said.
Retired Major General John Hawkins attended the original march. He'll be on the hill again Saturday, this time with his grandchildren.
"Now we have issues that not only involve economics and the status with respect to freedoms, but also issues that involve physical safety. Are are we in fact being targeted?" Hawkins said.
Just as it was 20 years ago, the rally will feature controversial Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrikan. But Reverend Dexter Nuthall is looking for a positive message.
"There is a matter of accountability that is most critical here. And that is recognizing we have to hold one another accountable within our own community," Rev. Nuthall said.
So what's different now than in 1995? Kevin Braswell of Fathers Incorporated said he owes what he's accomplished since to the rally.
"I started my own newspaper, I started my own not-for-profit. And never really realized it was off of the energy of what I saw then, but now when I look back on it I attribute it to exactly what I expierenced in 1995," Braswell said.
Anyone coming down to the rally is advised to take Metro downtown because many of the streets around the Capitol and lower part of the mall will be closed. Security will also be similar to many other big events on the mall, guests going through metal detectors and subject to search.
Gates for the event open at 5 a.m., with the rally starting at 10 a.m.
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