Emancipation Day 2006

Walk to Freedom

On July 3, Emancipation Day, descendants of the African enslaved walked from Fort Christavaern in Christiansted Town to Fort Frederik in Frederiksted Town. They got an early start and arrived around 11:00 AM at Fort Frederik, the site of the original proclamation of freedom for all enslaved in the Danish West Indies. It was July 3, 1848 - the earliest freedom proclamation in what is called United States territory, today - although at the time, the islands were Danish. The Governor General Peter von Scholten on July 3, 1848 announced "All Unfree in the Danish West Indies are from today, free!" Today, the descendants are keeping alive the memory of that day and commemorate it each year.

	We caught up with the determined walkers as they entered Frederiksted Town. Everyone waited for the last individuals to make it to that point before moving on to the Fort.

	Moving on to storm the barred gates of the fort.

	The pace quickened as the Fort drew nearer.

	Crossing Customs House Street, the last street before the Fort.

	Both Senator Terrence "Positive" Nelson and Senator Craig Barshinger were on hand, lending their support to the Freedom Walkers. The walk ended at the gates of Fort Frederik where freedom began.