Back-to-Back Activation Events

Stirring Choir performances stand in stark contrast to national attempt to bury history

Saturday, May 16

Our day in Burlington began with a tour through history. We first walked down to the Delaware River for a reenactment by two men. One portrayed Daniel Dangerfield, a Freedom Seeker from Bristol, Pennsylvania and the other portrayed a man named Pierce whose family supported Dangerfield’s effort. Learn more HERE and HERE.

We then walked to the platform where we boarded a train from Burlington to Camden where a third reenactor portrayed Peter Still, the older brother of William Still, the famed Underground Railroad conductor.

n a “small world” moment of coincidence, the conductor of our train lives in a house near the Delaware River in Burlington that was built by Quakers and was a haven for Freedom Seekers on the Underground Railroad.

At the end of line in Camden, as the train moved along, I saw another historic marker noting that enslaved people were sold there.

The most fascinating part of Peter Still’s story was that he and his brother Levin were left behind when their parents escaped. 40 years later, when Peter purchased his own freedom, he reunited with his mother in Philadelphia. She’d given birth to 16 more children. It was William who recognized his older brother due to the family resemblance. Peter eventually raised $5,000 to buy the freedom of his wife and children. Learn more about Peter Still HERE. One of our companions on the train, an AME minister, is descended from another of Peter’s brothers, Dr. James Still.

Back at the Burlington Quaker Meeting House, where we’re sleeping for the week, Saturday’s Activation took place. One of the presenters was Burlington Mayor Barry Conaway, who noted that more than 180 people were freed through this Meeting’s location. Burlington Meeting was also the location of the 1st colonial protest against slavery in 1688. Burlington Quakers were a spark plug of abolition societies, and the Underground Railroad. Also in attendance was State Senator Troy Singleton.

When Lynda Davis from the #FreedomWalk2026 planning team spoke, she shared that she is descended from Lucretia Coffin Mott, who visited this Meeting. She and Harriet Tubman also worked together.

We were then treated to some powerful and beautiful music by The Essence of Harmony Choral Society. You can watch and listen to them sing Give Me That Old Time Religion and Lift Every Voice and Sing.

Sunday, May 17

When I awoke Sunday morning all was quiet. Everyone was gone from the Meeting House except for Lynda and me. Jim and Antoine had left to drive the statue to Philadelphia. Tony stayed with a friend last night. Sharon left for home. I spent time communicating with future companion workers and catching up on writing.

Around 1:30, Lynda drove us to Philadelphia for the Activation scheduled this afternoon at Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Founded by Richard Allen in 1791 (Allen was born enslaved and purchased his own freedom), Harriet Tubman spoke here in 1849. This is the fourth church structure on this same property. The current church was completed in 1889. We are standing on hallowed ground.

This was another amazing activation. There were a few comments from Pastor Cavaness. Then Tony, Venetia, Lynda and I spoke about #FreedomWalk2026 and Coming to the Table. Most of the hour-long gathering was the choir: The Black Breath Collective. A band consisting of drums, lead and bass guitars, organ, piano and trumpet, accompanied ten singers. They gave me chills. Watch and listen to Keep Marchin’. They are incredible.

At the conclusion of the gathering at the church, we walked to Independence National Historical Park to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were argued over and signed. Around thirty of us marched several blocks Peter Ahn, who played trumpet with Black Breath Collective earlier, playing his guitar and all of us singing along the way.

We entered a square at the corner where I was shocked to learn the National Park Service had removed an exhibit on slavery in response to the President’s executive order “restoring truth and sanity to American history” at our nation’s museums, parks and landmarks (more HERE). So many harmful actions have been perpetrated by this Administration that I hadn’t heard about this one before. Due to the diligence of many individuals and groups protesting the removal, in February, U.S. District Judge Cynthia Rufe ordered the restoration of the panels, citing the administration’s rationale as akin to the “Ministry of Truth” in George Orwell’s 1984 (more HERE) Two panels are still missing.

We gathered and sang and talked to other visitors about #FreedomWalk2026 and our disgust at the attempt to rewrite history in a false light as the current Administration is attempting. We’re grateful that groups like Save Our Signs, a community collaboration co-founded by a group of librarians, public historians, and data experts in partnership with the Data Rescue Project and Safeguarding Research & Culture are doing all they can to raise awareness and fight against the burying of history.

Tomorrow begins a stretch of five days of walking approximately 65 miles from Burlington to then ride a ferry to Manhattan. More to come!