On Wednesday, July 31st, the Amistad made a special stop in Yonkers as part of its “2024 Voyage for Freedom.” The ship was open for dockside tours from 12 PM to 7 PM, offering the community a unique opportunity to engage with a significant piece of history.
The vessel is a reproduction of the historic ship Amistad, built at the Mystic Seaport Museum Shipyard and launched in 2000. This 128-foot replica stands as an iconic representation of the fight for justice and freedom in the United States and beyond. The lessons of the 1839 uprising aboard the original schooner provide a foundation to explore the concepts of freedom, power, justice, and equality.
We extend special thanks to those in Yonkers who made this event possible:
- Mayor Mike Spano
- Steve Sansone, Parks Commissioner
- Connie Fowler, Board of Directors, Enslaved African Rain Garden
- Marcia Cooper, President, Beczak
- Captain Nicholas Alley of the Amistad
- Hudson River Pilots association
The history of the Amistad is an inspiring story. In 1839, Mende captives from Sierra Leone took control of the ship transporting them to slavery. Unable to navigate back to Africa, the ship was captured and towed into the port of New London in Connecticut. Faced with slavery or execution, the Mende found their cause championed by many residents throughout Connecticut. U.S. Circuit and District courts ruled in favor of the Mende, a decision upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1841, leading to the captives’ release.
As the nation continues to grapple with the painful realities of racism and oppression, the lessons of the Amistad and the mission of Discovering Amistad have never been more relevant.