Transport Minister the Hon. Wayne Furbert.

The Million Man March-Coalition of Bermuda has called on black Bermudians to stay home on that day and take stock of their lives.

The group has thrown its weight behind the proposed Million Man March in Washington organised by Nation of Islam leader Rev. Louis Farrakhan.

And while urging all blacks to stay away from work and school, it is planning a similar march for black men in Bermuda on the same day.

But Mr. Furbert said that to heed the coalition's call would be counter-productive and damaging to tourism.

"To just tell people to stay home and probably lose a day's pay I think is an irresponsible call for our people,'' he said. "It would be better for them to get to work.'' If taxi drivers and hotel workers did not do their jobs on the 16th, "what kind of message are we sending back to our tourists? Taking a day off to do what? "We are trying to get people back to work,'' Mr. Furbert said. "I'm not sure what message they're trying to send, but if anything we should be telling people to go out and try to create jobs.

"Let's try to increase productivity.'' Mr. Furbert said he did not think many blacks would heed the call and stay away from jobs and classrooms.

"I would encourage all people to go to work. Let's get our productivity up and send the right message to our tourists.'' Mr. Rolfe Commissiong, a spokesman for the local group, has said the march will go ahead, even if he walks alone.

Organisers say the Million Man March in the US is part of "A National Day of Atonement'' to promote greater responsibility among men, encourage reconciliation and organise a spiritual, political and economic rebirth for black America.

It includes a day away from work and school for non-marchers to commemorate spiritual aspects of the day, including prayer and fasting.

Last week, the Bermuda coalition held a news conference at Progressive Labour Party headquarters to express solidarity with the aims of the Washington marchers.

Flanking Mr. Commissiong were fellow coalition members, Mr. George Scott, Mr.

Byron X Ratteray, and Mr. Stefan Dupres.