Freedom, Georgia
Freedom is a settlement in the U.S. state of Georgia established in September 2020, in the wake of a breakdown of race relations after the killing of several African Americans, including the murder of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia. It was created by 19 African-American families who together purchased 96.71 acres (39.14 hectares) of land in Wilkinson County, near Macon, with the goal of incorporating a city that is a "safe haven for people of color".
History
Freedom was inspired by a June 2020 viral false news story that the nearby town of Toomsboro, Georgia, was for sale. Although Toomsboro was not for sale as the town's mayor explained, a large amount of rural land near the town was available for purchase. This inspired Renee Walters and Ashley Scott, a realtor from Stonecrest, to create the Freedom Georgia Initiative and propose purchasing the 96.71 acres (39.14 hectares) of land. They brought together 19 African-American families who raised the money to purchase the land. The settlement is located about 130 miles (210 kilometres) south of Atlanta. As of July 2023, the settlement consists of a dilapidated campground, and its founders are working on establishing roads and utility services before beginning building residences. Currently, the settlement consists of more than 500 acres (200 hectares) throughout two parcels. As of May 2024, construction for permanent dwellings or vital infrastructure has not begun.
See also
- Brooklyn, Illinois
- Eatonville, Florida
- Mound Bayou, Mississippi
- Nicodemus, Kansas
- Robbins, Illinois
- Soul City, North Carolina
- National Movement for the Establishment of a 49th State
References
- ^ Schwartz-Lavares, Ashley; Osunsami, Steve (September 30, 2020). "Black Americans are leaving their homes to start their own all-Black communities". ABC News. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
- ^ Cranley, Ellen (September 11, 2020). "19 Black families purchased 96.71 acres of rural Georgia land for a 'fresh start' with a Black-centric community". Insider. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
- ^ Kirkland, Pamela (September 12, 2020). "19 families buy nearly 97 acres of land in Georgia to create a city safe for Black people". CNN. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
- ^ Castronuovo, Celine (September 12, 2020). "More than a dozen Georgia families buy land to create safe city for people of color". The Hill. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
- ^ Rose, Jordan (September 12, 2020). "19 Black Families Buy 90-Plus Acres for Georgia Safe Haven". Complex. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- ^ Biron, Casey (May 25, 2021). "Black American families strive to build a town free from racism". Thomson Reuters Foundation. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
- ^ Edward, Roz (May 6, 2024). "Black-Owned Town Named Freedom Could Be Reality TV Series". Atlanta Tribune. Archived from the original on May 9, 2024.
External links
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