by Jim Morgan
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| Amistad Sails into New Haven harbor |
NEW HAVEN (08/11/2008) -- The year-long, 14,000 mile international “Atlantic Freedom Tour” of the Freedom Schooner Amistad ended as she docked safely at New Haven’s Long Wharf on Saturday morning, June 21, successfully completing her journey’s challenging final legs, first from the Cape Verde Islands to Charleston, South Carolina and then up the eastern seaboard to Connecticut.
To the spirited call-and-response cries of “Amistad!” “Freedom!,” from hundreds gathered to welcome her home, the 99-ton, 127-foot long schooner sailed in exactly one year to the day from departure on her first trans-Atlantic crossing, resoundingly greeted by church choirs, drumming groups and numerous dignitaries.
The Amistad embarked on its historic voyage as Connecticut’s flagship and international ambassador of freedom and goodwill, first visiting England to help celebrate the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the British Empire. From there she made her way down the west coast of Africa, arriving at Freetown, Sierra Leone, the homeland from which the Mendi captives were taken in 1839, sailing across the infamous Middle Passage and intended for the slave auctions in the Caribbean and United States.
The story of their ship-board rebellion and subsequent trial and acquittal before the U.S. Supreme Court continues to inspire those who seek freedom to this very day. Several Congregational churches in Connecticut, forebears of the United Church of Christ, as well as prominent individuals, played a crucial role in supporting the captives and their pursuit of justice. Indeed, today the Connecticut Conference is one of the major sponsors of the Amistad.
The significance of this story was recounted by several of the morning’s speakers, who included U.S. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, state Senator Toni Harp and New Haven Mayor John DeStefano, who cited the ship’s history as “a wonderful message to the world of human character and resiliency.”
Noting the Amistad’s powerful symbolism as a testament to justice, tolerance and equality around the globe, Rep. DeLauro said it is “living its values, carrying its message. This ship is part of who we are.”
Attorney General Blumenthal summarized the feelings of many in the crowd, seeing in the Amistad “the power of freedom… It is that ideal that can move the world and move America. Welcome home, we’re proud of you. Job well done.”
