DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Thousands are converging on the nation's capital for a mass rally that is spearheaded by Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan. It's billed as the Million Family March. Reverend Farrakhan calls it a day of atonement, reconciliation and responsibility. We get the latest now on the march now from our Kathleen Koch standing by in Washington. Kathleen, good morning.</s>KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. The sections of the Mall here are finally beginning to fill up as crowds gradually filter in for this Million Family March. We've talked to a lot of people, and we're finding there are mothers bringing their daughters, fathers bringing sons, grandmothers actually bringing their grandchildren here for the celebration today. And that's really why many people are here. Some of them are telling us that they were here on this very same spot five years ago for the Million Man March or they were in Philadelphia 1997 for the Million Woman March. And they want to really recapture the spirit, the feelings of unity and pride that those events inspired. Speeches and music began here at 6:00 a.m. this morning, all being broadcast on 14 Jumbotron screens up and down the Mall. Now, right now, as I'm speaking, the actress Cicely Tyson is up on stage addressing the crowd. Now, this event, as you pointed out, just like the first event, is being sponsored by the Reverend Louis Farrakhan of the Nation of Islam. And it is a more inclusive event, however, than the first, because it not only includes families but people of all races and all religions. And it also, unlike the Million Man March, has a very specific agenda. There is a 154-page agenda that the organizers are asking that march attendants support and that they take back to their communities and that they try to actually implement. It covers actually items ranging from welfare and prison reform to the need for more drug abuse prevention and treatment. So everyone here really hoping to effect a change in their communities. I'm Kathleen Koch reporting live at the Million Family March.</s>HEMMER: All right, Kathleen, thank you.
Thousands Converge on Washington for Million Family March