Pittsburgh City Council is currently seeking to gain control of the Hill District’s historic site, Freedom Corner.
On June 29, at a Juneteenth Celebration devoted to “saving” Freedom Corner, Sala Udin, former city councilman and chairman of the Freedom Corner Committee, led an assembly against this transfer of ownership.
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SALA UDIN
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Vandals have recently defaced freedom Corner and maintenance funding along with funding for improvements has been an issue.
“I hope the church community, especially in the Hill District, will take responsibility (for Freedom Corner) now until forever,” said Udin.
Representatives from many churches throughout the community were present to show their support, including Lily Baptist, Grace Memorial, Macedonia Baptist and Ebenezer Baptist.
At the end of the celebration, Udin announced that approximately $930 had been collected that day. Others contributed by signing petitions and pledging the support of their various organizations.
Tim Stevens, chairman of the Black Political Empowerment Project, believes that because members of the community donated the money originally used to create the monument, the community should have control of it.
“The money was raised by individuals who had a commitment to civil rights and for the community to regain complete ownership is important,” said Stevens. “That does not mean the city would not be able to give some government support, but the control should be in the hands of the citizens.”
Councilwoman Tonya Payne who has been working to transfer ownership of Freedom Corner to the city and also to set up a fund that would pay for the maintenance of the monument did not return several calls by the Courier.
The monument, previously owned by the Urban Redevelopment Authority is dedicated to the lives of many and civil rights activists.
“I have started on this corner to go on many marches,” said Alice Pittrella, program manager for the Legacy Arts Project.
The history of Freedom Corner stretches back to the 1950s and this site has served as the base for many assemblies regarding police brutality and civil rights.
