On this day, 150 years ago, more than 3,000 people were freed from slavery in Washington, D.C. Nine months in advance of the full Emancipation Proclamation, Abraham Lincoln granted slaves in the District of Columbia the most precious human right, freedom.
150 years later, organizations like Polaris Project are striving to undertake that same battle again. Each day 42 staff members come to work to fight modern-day slavery and human trafficking to ensure that all people have access to that same human right of freedom.
So today, I invite all of you to take a moment to reflect what this day marks in American history, and what’s still left to accomplish. If we freed enslaved people once, we can do it again. There are action steps you can take as an informed citizen to make this happen. Here are 3 to get you started.
- Sign up for the Polaris Project grassroots network. Learn about local ways to get involved and help survivors rebuild their lives.
- Check out the activities taking place today, I’ve included a list below for your convenience.
- Share this blog!
Events taking place around D.C.
- DC Emancipation Day 150th Anniversary Debate
- DC Emancipation Day Celebration at Lincoln’s Cottage
- DC Emancipation Parade down Pennsylvania Ave
- Emancipation Day Scavenger hunt
Photo Credit: Washington City Paper