Malcolm X launched his long-awaited organisation at a rally at the Audubon Ballroom in New York on June 28, Its name is the Organisation of Afro-American’.Unitye Malcolm X, who is chairman of the OAAU, recalled to the audience the prediction he had made when he first began to work among the non-Muslim Afro-Americans, He then said that after the young people had a chance to consider the problem they would form either a black nationalist party or a black nationalis* -=my. The OAAU, he said, is what those who have been working on the problci: since then have come up with. It is patterned on the Organisation of African Unity, founded in Addis Ababa, to unite all Africans despite their dif‘erences in the fight to elinnate colonialism.
The OAAU's object is to win freedom, justice, equality and dignity for Americans of African descent "by any means necessary," The long range perspective is that once those of African descent in the Western hemisphere were united, they could unite with their brothers in Africa. "We assert that in those areas where the Government is either unable or unwilling to protect the lives and property of our people, that our people are within their rights to protect themselves by whatever means are necessary. A man with a rifle or club can only be stopped by a person who defends himself with a rifle or a club." Speaking of Mississippi, he said, "We could send brothers dow there to form defence groups."" He called on Elijah Muhammad, head of the Black Muslims, to join in a common project against the enemies of their people in Mississippi instead of fighting each other. "Both parties are racist," declared Malcolm X, "and the Democratic Party is more racialist than the Republican Pafty...Both parties have sold us out."
The OAAU statement on political action says: "...we vropose to support and/or organise political political clubs..and upport any Afro-American already in office who answers to and is resporsible to the Afro-American community. The statement also outlines a broad programme of education, economic and social self-help for the bleck communi .y. Many specific proposals for action are included including voter-rersistration drives.