House of Umoja Readies For Philadelphia's Next ''Million Father March''
By Cherri Gregg
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A West Philadelphia community group is organizing another "Million Father March," set for Monday, to encourage dads to get more involved in their children's education and to help prevent in-school violence.
When House of Umoja organized the city's first "Million Father March," in 2007, a dozen Philadelphia public schools sat on school district's "persistently dangerous schools" list.
This year, for the first time in 13 years, no Philadelphia school received that designation.
"The purpose of the march is to project a feeling of protection and respect inside the community and the school system," said House of Umoja co-founder David Fattah today.
Fattah says fathers are encouraged at wake up early, get their kids ready, and take them to school on Monday. They are also encouraged to have their children sign the Imani Pledge -- a peace pact that is widely credited with helping to end the city's gang wars 40 years ago.
"Over 6,000 students in Philadelphia schools have signed it and have kept their word," notes Fattah.
The House of Umoja march, one of scores taking place in various US cities, begins Monday at 7am at 5625 West Master Street.
The group will march to Guy Bulford Universal Charter School for a rally at 8am, and end at Commodore John Barry Promise Academy at 8:30am.
For more details contact David Fattah at 215-473-5893 or e-mail him at falakafatah@aol.com.
