Honoring a Northern Struggle:

Abolition Commemoration Day Marks History and Legacy

By Lyndon Taylor
On Monday, July 14, community members, activists, and elected officials gathered for an afternoon of reflection and education during the Abolition Commemoration Day program, curated by Bridget Yolanda Smith of the Manhattan Branch of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH).

The program, held in the spirit of reverence and resistance, drew support from organizations such as Friends of Abolitionist Place, Liberation Farms CORNERS Community, entrepreneur Ernee Peppers, and several civil and community groups. Together, they underscored the enduring relevance of New York’s abolitionist legacy — a history that many still overlook.
In an interview with Our Time Press, Smith emphasized why the event is critical.

“Many people don’t realize that slavery was up north and think it’s down south…all over really,” she said. Her words reflect a common misconception that New York and other northern states were merely bastions of freedom — when in fact, New York was one of the largest slaveholding colonies before it began gradual abolition in the late 18th century.

Smith and fellow organizers see Abolition Commemoration Day as an opportunity to correct that narrative, shining a light on the legislation that abolished slavery in New York and honoring those who fought for freedom.

“We do this throughout Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx to bring awareness to the fact that the abolition happened, highlight the legislation that supports the commemoration, and give it a similar reverence as Juneteenth — with the goal of making Abolition Commemoration Day a Federal Holiday,” Smith said.

The program also paid homage to Joy Chatel, affectionately known as Mama Joy, whose legacy looms large over Brooklyn’s abolitionist history. “The work that Mama Joy has done is significant,” Smith said, particularly her successful campaign to have part of historic Duffield Street renamed Abolitionist Place.

Duffield Street itself carries the weight of history. In the 19th century, it was home to abolitionists Harriet and Thomas Truesdell at 227 Duffield Street — believed to be a stop on the Underground Railroad — and William Harned, another conductor who lived nearby. Oral histories tell of other homes on the block playing a part in the clandestine network that helped enslaved people reach freedom.

Duffield Street was likely named after John Duffield, a Revolutionary War-era surgeon, but over time became more deeply associated with the abolitionist struggle thanks to the efforts of Brooklyn’s Black and allied activists.

Joy Chatel’s own home at 227 Duffield became a symbol of that struggle. When the city sought to seize it through eminent domain for redevelopment, Chatel mobilized the community, organized protests, and prevailed in preserving the site. As a member of Families United for Racial and Economic Equality (FUREE), she also fought against unjust zoning policies and development that threatened to erase Brooklyn’s Black history.

On Abolition Commemoration Day, participants not only honored her contributions but also reaffirmed a commitment to keeping that history alive for future generations.

The July 14 gathering reminded everyone present that the fight for freedom and justice in New York was — and still is — a northern story, too. “It’s about giving this day the recognition it deserves,” Smith said, “and making sure our children know this history happened right here — not just in the South, but here in our own backyard.”