August 1 is Emancipation Day. On this day in 1834, slavery was abolished across the British Empire. While freedom didn’t come immediately for all, Emancipation Day is a time to reflect on the legacy of slavery and the continued fight for justice.
In Canada, that legacy includes stories of courage, such as those who travelled the Underground Railroad, and the lesser-known reality of Black people who fled Upper Canada for safer ground in the U.S.
Emancipation Day invites us to learn, reflect, and take action against systemic racism because its impact is still felt by Black and Indigenous communities today.
If you’re in #LdnOnt, consider visiting the Meeting Tree at Westminster Ponds. Once a refuge for those escaping slavery, this 700-year-old oak stands as a symbol of strength, resistance, and hope.