CHARLESTON -- The man leading the charge for a national march against hate crimes in Charleston is fighting back against claims he's actually the leader of a hate group. 38 year old Malik Shabazz has been publicly criticized by Charleston Mayor Danny Jones regarding his past speeches on behalf of the New Black Panther Party.

Sunday, Malik Shabazz addressed a crowd of more than 200 people at 1st Baptist Church in Charleston. Shabazz shared his background, talked about the need for hate crimes charges in the Megan Williams torture case, and even took questions and comments from the audience. The topic turned to Mayor Jones reported remarks about Shabazz as the leader of a hate group.

Charleston City Councilman, John Miller, was among the first to speak. "I say shame on the Mayor. He doesn't even know you" Mill said to Shabazz, adding "All I can say, as for me, I will be at the March." Miller added as the crowd broke into applause. About a dozen people approached the microphones, but this reporter was the first and only person who lined up at the microphones to ask directly about Shabazz's ranking on the top 40 watch list that's generated by the Southern Poverty Law Center, the group that drove the Klu Klux Klan into bankruptcy.

"I am not a racist." Shabazz responded, adding " I do not believe in discriminating against people because of their race. I don't do that." said Shabazz. He did say some of his past comments were fueled by youthful frustration, but when asked directly if there are any regrets regarding past comments, Shabazz says. "I don't regret anything". While conceding a "roughness", the 38 year old attorney firmly stands by his beliefs. The comments attributed to Shabazz are considered venomously anti-semitic.

Shabazz spent nearly two hours with the crowd at 1st Baptist. Inside a church that is part of Charleston's Black Ministerial Alliance, one of the groups not supporting the upcoming March. Pastor Paul Dunn says this was scheduled before the Alliance pulled out. "As a member of the Black MInisterial Alliance, I support what they're doing. But as the leader here, at 1st Baptist Church, I I thought I owe it to my congregation, 1,000 members and to West Virginians, to hear Mr. Shabazz and get the facts for themselves.." said Dunn.

The National March for Megan is still scheduled for November 3rd in Charleston. The event will include a fundraiser for Williams.