Slave Auction Block, Fredericksburg Explained
The Slave Auction Block in Fredericksburg, Virginia is a large stone that was used as an auction block in historical slave auctions. It was located on the corner of William Street and Charles Street, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Fredericksburg Historic District.
After almost a century of debate as to whether or not it should be removed as a symbol of racial oppression,[1] [2] it was voted by City Council to be moved on June 11, 2019, one year before the protests triggered by the murder of George Floyd.[3] The city council had been planning the block's removal since 2017, with a court victory by the council in February 2020 having cleared the last remaining legal obstacles to moving it.[4] The auction block was removed from its site on June 5, 2020, and is displayed at the Fredericksburg Area Museum.[5] [6]
See also
References
38.3029°N -77.4618°W
Notes and References
- Web site: The 'slave block' in a town in Virginia: should it stay or should it go?. David. Caprara. 1 September 2017. 2 September 2017. The Guardian.
- Web site: Debate Continues Over What Exactly to Do About Fredericksburg's Street-Corner Slave Auction Block. Tanasia. Kenney. 1 September 2017. atlantablackstar.com. 2 September 2017.
- Web site: June 5, 2020. Virginia city removes 176-year-old slave auction block. 2020-06-05. ABC News. en.
- Web site: Gregory Dailey. Associated Press. 2020-06-05. 'This was huge': City of Fredericksburg removes 176-year-old slave auction block. 2020-06-07. WJLA.
- Web site: June 5, 2020. City of Fredericksburg Proceeds with Auction Block Relocation. 2020-06-05. City of Fredericksburg. en. June 5, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200605214245/https://www.fredericksburgva.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=993. dead.
- McGreevy. Nora. September 30, 2020. Fredericksburg's Slave Auction Block Will Be Moved to a Museum. 2020-10-01. Smithsonian Magazine. en.
