Provided by the Coalition to Save Historic Thoroughfare
On Sunday, April 25, at 1:30 p.m., the Coalition to Save Historic Thoroughfare (CSHT) will hold a Native American cleansing and healing ceremony for an African American and Native American cemetery it says has been “desecrated” in the town of Thoroughfare. The ceremony will be held at Oakrum Baptist Church, 16419 Thoroughfare Road, Broad Run.
The cemetery is the final resting place of almost 100 freed slaves, freedmen/freedwomen, and Native Americans. In response to this desecration, CSHT and several Native American groups will be holding the ceremony to honor those souls who have been recently disturbed.
In a statement, Frank Washington, spokesperson of the Coalition to Save Historic Thoroughfare said:
“Our fears have become a reality. A cemetery holding 75 to 100 slaves, freed slaves, and Native-Americans has been bulldozed over and desecrated in the historic town of Thoroughfare, Virginia. Those who were given such little value in life are now shown, without a doubt, that same lack of value in death. Descendants are shocked at this attack on those souls resting in peace. Ancestors and descendants are being stripped of their identity, land, heritage, and history by greed, abuse of power, and privilege. The county must hold those responsible accountable for these unlawful and harmful actions.”
BACKGROUND:
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 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.
