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Freedom, Georgia: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 32°44′39.9″N 83°01′25.3″W / 32.744417°N 83.023694°W / 32.744417; -83.023694
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== History ==
== History ==
Freedom was inspired by a June 2020 viral false news story that the nearby town of [[Toomsboro, Georgia|Toomsboro]], Georgia, was for sale. Although Toomsboro was not for sale as the town's mayor explained, a large amount of rural land near the town was available for purchase. This inspired Renee Walters and Ashley Scott, a realtor from [[Stonecrest, Georgia|Stonecrest]], to create the '''Freedom Georgia Initiative''' and propose purchasing the {{Convert|96.71|acres|hectare|abbr=off}} of land. They brought together 19 [[African Americans|African-American]] families who raised the money to purchase the land.<ref name=":0" /> The settlement is located about {{Convert|130|miles|km|abbr=off}} south of [[Atlanta]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rose|first=Jordan|date=September 12, 2020|title=19 Black Families Buy 90-Plus Acres for Georgia Safe Haven|url=https://www.complex.com/life/2020/09/19-black-families-buy-90-plus-acres-for-georgia-safe-haven|access-date=September 13, 2020|website=Complex|language=en}}</ref> As of July 2023, the settlement consists of a dilapidated [[campground]], and its founders are working on establishing roads and [[utility services]] before beginning building residences.<ref name=":1" /> Currently, the settlement consists of more than {{Convert|500|acres|hectare}} throughout two parcels.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Biron|first=Casey|date=25 May 2021|title=Black American families strive to build a town free from racism|url=https://news.trust.org/item/20210525080816-ni4q7/|access-date=22 June 2021|website=[[Thomson Reuters Foundation]]}}</ref> As of May 2024, construction for permanent dwellings or vital infrastructure has not begun.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Edward|first=Roz|date=May 6, 2024|website=Atlanta Tribute|language=en}}</ref>
Freedom was inspired by a June 2020 viral false news story that the nearby town of [[Toomsboro, Georgia|Toomsboro]], Georgia, was for sale. Although Toomsboro was not for sale as the town's mayor explained, a large amount of rural land near the town was available for purchase. This inspired Renee Walters and Ashley Scott, a realtor from [[Stonecrest, Georgia|Stonecrest]], to create the '''Freedom Georgia Initiative''' and propose purchasing the {{Convert|96.71|acres|hectare|abbr=off}} of land. They brought together 19 [[African Americans|African-American]] families who raised the money to purchase the land.<ref name=":0" /> The settlement is located about {{Convert|130|miles|km|abbr=off}} south of [[Atlanta]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rose|first=Jordan|date=September 12, 2020|title=19 Black Families Buy 90-Plus Acres for Georgia Safe Haven|url=https://www.complex.com/life/2020/09/19-black-families-buy-90-plus-acres-for-georgia-safe-haven|access-date=September 13, 2020|website=Complex|language=en}}</ref> As of July 2023, the settlement consists of a dilapidated [[campground]], and its founders are working on establishing roads and [[utility services]] before beginning building residences.<ref name=":1" /> Currently, the settlement consists of more than {{Convert|500|acres|hectare}} throughout two parcels.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Biron|first=Casey|date=25 May 2021|title=Black American families strive to build a town free from racism|url=https://news.trust.org/item/20210525080816-ni4q7/|access-date=22 June 2021|website=[[Thomson Reuters Foundation]]}}</ref> As of May 2024, construction for permanent dwellings or vital infrastructure has not begun.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Edward|first=Roz|title =Black-Owned Town Named Freedom Could Be Reality TV Series|url= https://atlantatribune.com/2024/05/06/freedom-ga-is-black-wall-street-of-the-new-south/|archive-url = http://web.archive.org/web/20240509002141/https://atlantatribune.com/2024/05/06/freedom-ga-is-black-wall-street-of-the-new-south/ |archive-date =2024-05-09 |date=May 6, 2024|website=[[Atlanta Tribune]]|language=en}}</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==

Revision as of 14:13, 30 June 2024

Freedom, Georgia
CountryUnited States
StateGeorgia

32°44′39.9″N 83°01′25.3″W / 32.744417°N 83.023694°W / 32.744417; -83.023694

Freedom is a settlement in the U.S. state of Georgia established in September 2020, in the wake of a breakdown of race relations after the killing of several African Americans, including the murder of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia.[1] It was created by 19 African-American families who together purchased 96.71 acres (39.14 hectares) of land in Wilkinson County, near Macon, with the goal of incorporating a city that is a "safe haven for people of color".[2][3][4]

History

Freedom was inspired by a June 2020 viral false news story that the nearby town of Toomsboro, Georgia, was for sale. Although Toomsboro was not for sale as the town's mayor explained, a large amount of rural land near the town was available for purchase. This inspired Renee Walters and Ashley Scott, a realtor from Stonecrest, to create the Freedom Georgia Initiative and propose purchasing the 96.71 acres (39.14 hectares) of land. They brought together 19 African-American families who raised the money to purchase the land.[2] The settlement is located about 130 miles (210 kilometres) south of Atlanta.[5] As of July 2023, the settlement consists of a dilapidated campground, and its founders are working on establishing roads and utility services before beginning building residences.[1] Currently, the settlement consists of more than 500 acres (200 hectares) throughout two parcels.[6] As of May 2024, construction for permanent dwellings or vital infrastructure has not begun.[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Schwartz-Lavares, Ashley; Osunsami, Steve (September 30, 2020). "Black Americans are leaving their homes to start their own all-Black communities". ABC News. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Cranley, Ellen (September 11, 2020). "19 Black families purchased 96.71 acres of rural Georgia land for a 'fresh start' with a Black-centric community". Insider. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  3. ^ Kirkland, Pamela (September 12, 2020). "19 families buy nearly 97 acres of land in Georgia to create a city safe for Black people". CNN. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  4. ^ Castronuovo, Celine (September 12, 2020). "More than a dozen Georgia families buy land to create safe city for people of color". The Hill. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  5. ^ Rose, Jordan (September 12, 2020). "19 Black Families Buy 90-Plus Acres for Georgia Safe Haven". Complex. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  6. ^ Biron, Casey (May 25, 2021). "Black American families strive to build a town free from racism". Thomson Reuters Foundation. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  7. ^ Edward, Roz (May 6, 2024). "Black-Owned Town Named Freedom Could Be Reality TV Series". Atlanta Tribune. Archived from the original on May 9, 2024.

External links