On June 19, 1865, some of the last Black slaves still in chains learned that they were free. It had taken four long years to turn back the Confederacy, a government especially founded to uphold slavery and White superiority.

Blacks were critical to the North’s Civil War victory, a fact most Americans don’t know. For years, the Civil War’s outcome was uncertain not only on the battlefield, but politically as well. The North had to defeat not only the Confederate armies, it had to stand tall against those who agitated to bring the Southern states back into the Union as slave states, or simply letting the South be an independent country.

From the beginning, Black Americans clamored to enter the fight. In 1864, President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation allowed them to enlist into the U.S. Army and Navy. They did so in droves and fought with honor in some of the bloodiest battles of the war.  Sometimes Southern soldiers executed captured Black troops instead of accepting their surrender. One such battle was Ocean Pond fought in Florida in February 1864.

By the end of the war, more Black soldiers served in Northern Armies than the South could field.

The North won the war and the nation added the 13th and 14th amendment to the Constitution. With these steps, we abolished slavery and made all Americans equal before the law. In a large measure, we can thank Blacks for that progress toward the promise of America. 

We salute Black Americans for being so stalwart in fighting against the treasonous Confederacy and helping to build a more democratic government. 

On Saturday, June 24, help the group Current Problems with a Little Manatee River Cleanup.

This will be a high-intensity 7+ mile downstream paddle launching from the SR-579 Bridge and taking out at the Canoe Outpost on Hwy 301 in Wimauma, FL. Free parking will be available for volunteers to park at the takeout location: Canoe Outpost - Little Manatee River. Volunteers will drop of their vessels at SR-579 Bridge at 8:30am, drop off cars at the Canoe Outpost, and are shuttled back to the SR-579 Bridge to launch. 

Launch: SR-579 bridge boat ramp

Parking + Takeout: Canoe Outpost -Little Manatee River 18001 US Hwy 301 S Wimauma, FL 33598

Shuttle plan: Drop off boat a SR-579 bridge and shuttle cars to park at the Canoe Outpost at the 301 bridge in Wimauma, FL.

Volunteers need to bring LOTS of water, sun-protection, pack a good lunch, wear aquatic shoes! We will be stopping for lunch at the Antique Railroad Bridge.

Please bring your own vessel if you have one available. Otherwise please contact Savannah from Current Problems via email (savannah.currentproblems@gmail.com) or reach out to us on Facebook or Instagram to reserve a boat!

All other cleanup supplies will be provided for on site by Current Problems including gloves, grabbers, nets, trash bags, and more! We will sort through and weigh all the trash at the takeout point! Be sure to keep aside any items that could be reused or repurposed!

Here is the link to the Facebook event details: https://fb.me/e/3DFkldOz1