by Charlene Muhammad

LOS ANGELES (FinalCall.com)�Members of the L.A. City Council crushed the Anti-Defamation League�s attempts to thwart the Nation of Islam�s World Saviours� Day 2002 Convention and Expo with a unanimous 11-0 vote, reaffirming its approval of a fee waiver for use of the L.A. Convention Center during the group�s week-long event which kicks off Feb. 13.

The council chamber fell deafeningly quiet as Nation of Islam Western Region Minister Tony Muhammad approached the podium to address the council. Council members, clerks, aides, uniformed security officers, community coalitions present for other business, and a delegation of about 75 Muslims on hand to support the fee waiver listened as Min. Muhammad, poised, eloquent, and with strength and humility, reiterated the aim and agenda of World Saviours� Day 2002.

"Our specific purpose will be healing the wounds through cultural diversity, healing the wounds through the children of Abraham," said Min. Tony, referring to the goal of uniting people of faith to bring God back into the lives of the people. He said the convention is actually a conference through which the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan desires to put healing various wounds at the forefront.

"In light of what has happened here in America, we feel that it�s time that we all, no matter what our religious or political views are, begin to heal. That�s what our great aspirations are," he said.

The event is open to the public, Min. Tony added, thanking the council for their consideration and support of the waiver.

Fifth District Councilman Jack Weiss said he introduced the controversial motion to review legal ramifications of the fee waiver because of legal concerns.

"I wanted to make sure that we were following the law and also wanted to make sure that we were mindful of the budgetary crisis that we face in this city," he said, thanking the ADL for bringing the matter to the attention of the city council.

After the City Attorney�s office briefed the council on its fee waiver policy, Councilman Weiss said the same office advised him that there is no proper legal basis for the council to revoke the waiver granted last December.

L.A.�s fee waiver policy, in place since 1995, provides that when the council finds an event serves a public purpose, fees may be waived for some costs, with the Council reserving the right to waive this element of the policy. Fee waivers are not available for religious events, events with paid admission, or organizations other than city departments that received a fee waiver in the last 12 months. Organizations must apply for a waiver in advance, which is granted on an as-available basis, with priority to fee-generating events. The council reserves the discretion to change or make exceptions to the waiver policy.

According to the City Attorney�s office, fee waivers are limited to $2,500, however, the City Council may use its discretion to waive fees at an increased amount.

Noting the matter closed on the Nation�s fee waiver issue, Councilman Weiss maintained that for future instances, the council should have clear, articulate guidelines determining when to waive fees for special events. Not to do so, he said, would make the council and city vulnerable to legal actions.

An ADL spokesperson said, "We are disappointed" with the city council�s decision, but "we understand that the policy is flawed".

Tenth District Councilman Nate Holden said Min. Muhammad has been in the community for years, working for the good, and there have been many efforts to control the influx of gangs.

"When someone brings you something to help the community, I don�t think you should turn it away, and hopefully they can make some inroads resolving many of the problems we�ve faced and have found ourselves unable to accomplish," he said, referring to the Nation of Islam�s outreach efforts.

Councilman Holden noted that the convention center will benefit from thousands of people coming into the city, who already have reserved hotels and cars. It stands to gain at a time when the convention center is normally dark and unused, he added.

It will not only benefit the city by bringing about social change, but it will also be profitable, Councilman Holden noted.

He agreed that legal issues surrounding the city�s fee waiver policy must be explored, and recalled a previous time when one city official advocated $50,000 support for the World Cup held outside of L.A. He thanked Min. Muhammad and the Nation for "helping us out."

"I want to congratulate the Nation of Islam for all the ministers who came down here this morning, and we owe you a great, great debt of gratitude for the work that you have done for so long," said Fifteenth District Councilwoman Janice Hahn, pointing directly at Min. Muhammad and the rows of Muslims, from her council seat across the room.

She commended Min. Muhammad and the Nation for trying to keep the peace. "We hope that this convention is a success and that indeed the benefits will be reaped mostly by our young people. We must grow up another generation that works hard to keep peace and will have a future," she said.

"The event will especially help communities plagued by gang violence by training delegates to act as peace ambassadors in their neighborhoods," said Ninth District Councilwoman Jan Perry, who brought the fee waiver motion before the council last year.

"The motion was reviewed by the city attorney prior to the submission of the motion, and the event was held up to the same standards as everyone else. We need to remember that government is not in the business of censuring freedom of expression," she continued.

Councilwoman Perry noted an expected economic boost of $2.8 million and hailed the convention as much needed business for downtown L.A. hotels.

She ended by thanking her colleagues for respecting freedom of expression and freedom of speech, and further thanked Min. Muhammad for his commitment to at-risk youth and the community. She said she looks forward to the training sessions.

The L.A. City Council consists of 15 districts, one of which is currently vacant. Three of the 14 elected members are Black, and its president, the third youngest member elected to the council ever, is Latino.