Press Release

WHAT: Press conference regarding the recent and repeated racist vandalism at Historic Eden Cemetery

WHEN: Wednesday, October 15, 12:30 pm

WHERE: 6th & Walnut (southwest corner) — Washington Square

WHY: Historic Eden Cemetery in Collingdale (Delaware County) is the oldest Black public cemetery in America and the final resting place of such notable African Americans as William Still (Father of the Underground Railroad), Marian Anderson (operatic superstar and humanitarian), Octavius Catto (voting rights martyr), and many others. Since its founding in 1902, the cemetery has been victimized by repeated racist vandalism and desecration — most recently just a few months ago when a gang of whites overturned more than 200 headstones. And before that, the cemetery has been victimized by racist graffiti spray-painting and used as a toilet, trash-dumping ground, outdoor barroom, and illegal motorcycle-driving course. Even the cemetery's guard dog was killed there. Despite this horrific history of racist desecration and criminality, local politicians and police in Collingdale have not protected this treasured site, which is officially listed among the country's National Register of Historic Places, in addition to having been a station on the Underground Railroad. Friends of Historic Eden Cemetery, in conjunction with Avenging The Ancestors Coalition (ATAC), will hold a press conference on Wednesday, October 15 in Philadelphia to announce "A Day To Honor Our Ancestors," which will be held on Saturday, October 18 at Eden Cemetery and will be an informational demonstration. The Wednesday, October 15 press conference will be held at Sixth and Walnut Streets because that is the site of the old Congo Square, which later became a cemetery primarily for poor Blacks. And it is precisely where Philadelphian and African American activist James Dexter, along with five others, issued one of the first formal petitions — if not the first formal petition — in Philadelphia history on behalf of Blacks. Addressed to the governor of Pennsylvania on April 7, 1782, it was a "... petition of the Black people of the City and Suburbs... (requesting) protection to fence in the Negroes Burying ground in Potters field..." In the very same way that 226 years ago Dexter sought secure fencing to protect his buried Philadelphian and suburban ancestors from racist grave robbers and other disrespect, the Friends of Historic Eden Cemetery and ATAC today are seeking secure fencing to protect our buried Philadelphian and suburban ancestors from racist vandalism and other disrespect.

INFO: Refer to the attached flyer regarding the Saturday, October 18 event at Eden Cemetery.

CONTACT: Friends of Historic Eden Cemetery and Michael Coard, Esquire of Avenging The Ancestors Coalition at 215/552-8751