Several hundred people gathered in downtown Charleston, West Virginia, for a “National March Against Hate Crimes and Racism,” organized by Malik Zulu Shabazz, chairman of the racist and anti-Semitic New Black Panther Party (NBPP), on November 3, 2007.

The rally was held to demand that hate crimes charges be brought against the six white defendants accused of brutally attacking Megan Williams, a 20-year-old Black woman.  Williams and her family participated in the event, which included a rally at the State Capitol building and a march to the Federal Courthouse to protest the prosecutor’s decision not to file hate crimes charges.

Shabazz, who organized the rally under the banner of Black Lawyers for Justice (BLJ), his legal advocacy group, spoke about race relations in West Virginia and the U.S., condemning the recent wave of noose hangings and other troubling race-related incidents.

Prior to the march, Charleston Mayor Danny Jones denounced Shabazz’s record of spreading bigoted messages, as well as his allegiance to the NBPP and its former leader, racist anti-Semite Khalid Abdul Muhammad. Jones further questioned the legitimacy of an anti-hate march organized by someone he believes is a “hater.” He encouraged community members to do their research so as to make an educated decision before marching alongside Shabazz.

During the event, Shabazz reportedly expressed a desire to focus on his career as a “serious litigator” with BLJ. He pleaded for a clean slate, stating, “For those that have taken issue with what I have said in the past, understand that every day is a new day. What I said yesterday you may disagree with but...everybody is evolving. I can be given a fresh look.”

Despite the apparent effort to start fresh and separate himself from his past record of bigotry, Shabazz reaffirmed his commitment to the NBPP: “I will always be a part of the New Black Panther Party. I am not going to deny my family for anybody.”

Other NBPP leaders at the march included Hashim Nzinga, chief of staff, and Zayid Muhammad, minister of culture.