but in some parts of the northern us the return of afro american veterans was celebrated one soldier james reese europe remembers it this way. cheers came from the windows the roofs the streets numerous people joined the parade. a total of about three hundred fifty thousand black troops served on the western front one of the most famous afro-american units was the three hundred sixty nine thousand for three regiment known as the harlem hell fighters. civil rights activist marcus garvey demanded racial equality. we believe that blacks should have the same rights and privileges as other people. but president wilson favored a policy of racial segregation at the same time that he was promoting the right of