Statement on local and national protests
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is a beacon of hope in this ongoing struggle for inclusive freedom. We are advocates of equity and justice. And we stand in support of those locally and nationally peacefully protesting for constructive change. For too long, those oppressed by systemic racism, hatred and ignorance have suffered the inherent fear and indignity in silence or isolation. Now, multicultural and multigenerational groups of concerned people are again advocating to progress the case of inclusive freedom in the only way loud enough for their voices to be heard over centuries of being silenced, ignored and diminished. Protest has historically proven to be the best means of communication for the oppressed, and we hope the nation hears, loud and clear, their calls for change, peace, equity and justice.
We know that violence only begets violence and that only love and peace can drive out hate. We urge those who are demonstrating in support of freedom from fear and for equitable change to do so peacefully, so that we can lead by example and show that we are that change we so desperately need.
Woodrow Keown, Jr.
President & COO
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
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ABOUT THE NATIONAL UNDERGROUND RAILROAD FREEDOM CENTER
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center opened in August 2004 on the banks of the Ohio River in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. Since then, more than 1.3 million people have visited its permanent and changing exhibits and public programs, inspiring everyone to take courageous steps for freedom. Two million people have utilized educational resources online at freedomcenter.org, working to connect the lessons of the Underground Railroad to inform and inspire today’s global and local fight for freedom. Partnerships include Historians Against Slavery, Polaris Project, Free the Slaves, US Department of State and International Justice Mission. In 2014, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center launched a new online resource in the fight against modern slavery, endslaverynow.org.