By Gloria DULAN-Wilson
Hello All:
Well, here we go again! SS/DD - the predatory mentality of the caucasoids are busy as usual. This is reminscent of what we went through in NYC with the African Burial Grounds, with construction companies wanting to dig up sacred grounds to construct high rises over them.
I
just received this media advisory, and think that those in the DMV (DC,
Maryland, Virginia) area might do well to take heed. This affects you
and your families, ancestors, and those coming in the near future. So
you might want to save the date of Saturday, April 23 to take a stand
for your people.
[NOTE: This event is part of a nationwide effort by local communities seeking to protect historic Black and Native American cemeteries.]
The protest will take place at the historic Scott Cemetery, now owned by The Farm Brewery at Broad Run. Protesters will hold a short rally, followed by a peaceful protest across from the brewery.
WHAT: Protest Against Ongoing Desecration of Historic African-American Cemetery in Thoroughfare, Va.
WHEN: Saturday, April 23, 3:30 p.m.
WHERE: Across from The Farm Brewery at Broad Run, 16015 John Marshall Hwy, Broad Run, VA 20137
CONTACT: Frank Washington, twfit2live@gmail.com, 702-812-4174; Sheila Hansen, shoooty@aol.com, 540-270-3742
Thoroughfare, Va., is a small community comprised of people of Native American and African-American descent. Recently, the community has been struggling to reclaim three community cemeteries purchased by developers.
Since The Farm Brewery at Broad Run purchased the Scott property, and despite several cease-and-desist orders from Prince William County, the brewery has repeatedly bulldozed, graded and landscaped the cemetery, and currently is trying to claim that the Scott Cemetery does not even exist. (WTF???)
SEE: Historic Scott Cemetery in Thoroughfare in limbo
In 1966, the Scott Cemetery was listed on a USGS map. In the late 1990s, the cemetery was listed by Prince William County as containing 75 to 100 graves.
According to Frank Washington, representing the Thoroughfare Community, “Slaves, freed slaves, freedmen/freedwomen, and Native-Americans who worked and lived on the land of Thoroughfare, are under the threat of having their final sacred resting places decimated or completely removed by encroaching developers.”
Virginia’s
governor recently signed two bills introduced by local Del. Danica Roem
designed to prevent future issues similar to those occurring at
Thoroughfare. (Does this mean it won't save the burial grounds currently under siege?)
SEE: Youngkin signs several Prince William County-specific bills
BACKGROUNDER:
Thoroughfare is an historic Native American and African American community with roots going back hundreds of years. Originally a Native American community, during the 1800s African-Americans began to settle there and a vibrant mixed-race community was established. Today, Thoroughfare is centered around Oakrum Baptist Church, and the descendants of the founders still call Thoroughfare home.
When developers purchased land containing the three major Thoroughfare cemeteries and, early in 2021, destroyed the Scott Cemetery, blocked access to the Potters Field Cemetery, and threatened the Fields/Allen Cemetery with development, the Coalition to Save Historic Thoroughfare formed to protect the cemeteries and to preserve the history of Thoroughfare.
Recently, The Prince William Board of County Supervisors agreed to purchase a two-acre parcel to preserve the heritage of the Thoroughfare community.
SEE: Prince William Co. approves historic district land purchase for future park
Video: Virginia Group Works to Save Historic African-American, Native American Cemeteries
The town of Thoroughfare was established and settled by freed African-American slaves and Native Americans. Homes and family cemeteries in this community date back to 1860 and earlier.
Descendants of freed slaves and Native-Americans still live in Thoroughfare.
Slaves, freed slaves, freedmen/freedwomen, and Native-Americans who worked and lived on the land of Thoroughfare, Va., are under the threat of having their final sacred resting places decimated or completely removed by encroaching developers. Family members are also being denied access to many of these graves.
Historic freed slave homes, land and structures are under the same threat of destruction and at risk of being lost.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Video: Coalition to Save Historic Thoroughfare - A Town Under Siege
https://www.facebook.com/
Video: Community Fights to Save Historic Cemeteries from Development (NBC4)
A small Virginia town fights to save historic cemeteries of former slaves (WTOP)
‘Even in death, they have to fight for a name' (Prince William Times)
Coalition tries to preserve historic western Prince William cemeteries
In Virginia, a historic Black neighborhood grapples with development (Washington Post)
The race to save African-American cemeteries from being 'erased' (Reuters)
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IMO: This is tragic and INSIDIOUS!
It calls for more measures than protesting in front of a brewery. It really calls for declaring the properties themselves national landmarks through State legislation, to be given to the community in perpetuity -
I would be interested to know who the brewery purchased the burial grounds from, in the first place, since it was part of the community - Who had the "authority" to sell it in the first place?
Who is their lawyer? Who can make sure the brewery gets a refund and leaves - cease & desist immediately, if not sooner?
This has become yet another in the game book of the caucasoids - one we should all be mindful of going forward.
In the meantime, it would be great if those in the area could be there to show moral support; and if our civil rights organizations could lend support in the efforts to save our history. None of these attacks on us as Black people are isolated. They are coming at us from all sides. The rise in racist attacks against Black people can be traced directly back to the previous ersatz president who has not-so-quietly declared open season on Black people through his fostering of blatant redneckism. This is not saying that it started with him, but it most definitely been exacerbated by his actions, rhetoric, rallies, and playing to a base of depraved, demented degenerates - who have taken it as a carte blanche to go on the attack against what we value. Prayers alone won't stop it; neither will demonstrations - legal means must be exercised to prevent any further incursion. Would be wonderful if the state would send them along with the newly passed bill to stop the madness.
It
took bringing it to national attention to save the African Burial
Ground in New York City, and walking over a few heads as well. We pray
that the people of Thoroughfare are victorious in getting their
Ancestral resting places back before any additional incursion happens.
NOW THAT YOU KNOW
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria DULAN-Wilson
