Newark commemorated Juneteenth on Monday by honoring an abolitionist who dedicated her life to leading enslaved Africans to freedom.
The city renamed a popular park Harriet Tubman Square and also commissioned a statue in her honor.
CBS2’s Christina Fan spoke to the artist about the significance of the work.
It was a momentous recognition for a monumental figure in American history. Newark’s Washington Park was re-named for a pioneer who helped make emancipation possible.
“I think what we are doing is uplifting history. We’re straightening it out, allowing people to see full history,” Mayor Ras Baraka said.
Baraka said Monday’s dedication marked a pivotal moment acknowledging underrepresented stories that all Americans should value. The newly named park will also feature a new interactive monument of Tubman.
Artist Nina Cooke John explained what inspired her design.
“Just the fact that once she made it to freedom, it wasn’t enough for her to revel in that. It really was community that pushed her to go back,” Cooke John said.
While the monument celebrates New Jersey’s role in the Underground Railroad, the state’s first lady, Tammy Murphy, reminded the crowd that New Jersey was the last northern state to abolish slavery.
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