REMARKS
Council Member Kamillah Hanks introduces the Benjamin Prine Act for preserving African American burial grounds
0:49:21
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135 sec
Council Member Kamillah Hanks introduces Introduction 1051, known as the Benjamin Prine Act, which aims to establish a formal process for identifying, recognizing, and preserving African American burial grounds across New York City. She emphasizes the historical significance of these sites and the need to prevent further erasure of this important part of the city's history.
- Hanks mentions a recently discovered burial ground in her district, including the grave of Benjamin Prine, the last person born enslaved in New York City.
- The bill is named after Benjamin Prine, and a street has been co-named in his honor.
- Hanks urges her colleagues to co-sponsor the bill, highlighting its importance for preserving history and educating future generations.
Kamillah Hanks
0:49:21
Thank you so much, madam, majority leader.
0:49:24
Today, I will speak on a matter that cuts deep into the history of our city and often forgotten an unrecognized part of our collective past intro 1051.
0:49:34
Many of you may be aware with the African American burial ground in Lower Manhattan discovered by accident during construction, but you may not know that there are similar burial grounds right here under our feet across the city.
0:49:46
There are places where the remains of our ancestors, people who endured unimaginable hardships, were laid to rest, and then buried again under asphalt and concrete.
0:49:57
In my own district, we discovered one such burial ground beneath parking lot, in over at 7:11 and a Santander Bank lie the unmarked graves of African Americans, including Benjamin Prine, a veteran of the War of 18 12, and the last person born enslaved in and living in New York City.
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His final resting place, like many others, was nearly erased from history, but we are working to ensure that that doesn't happen.
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We've co named the street where he is buried Benjamin Prine Way.
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This is the first in the city's history a street that has been co named for a formally enslaved person.
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We've installed a plaque, and the landmark's preservation commission is now working to protect this site on a map and has an historical landmark.
0:50:43
But colleagues, this is not just about my district.
0:50:45
This is about all of ours.
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The sad truth is there are there are likely unmarked African burial grounds in many of our districts.
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Sites where important pieces of our history have been paved over and forgotten.
0:50:58
We cannot let that continue.
0:51:00
That is why I am asking you today to join me as co sponsors on l s 1051, the Benjamin Prime Act.
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This bill will establish a formal process to identify, recognize, and preserve formally African American burial sites across our city.
0:51:16
This will ensure that these sacred places are marked, protected, and remembered as they should have been from the start.
0:51:22
We have an opportunity and a responsibility to to prevent further erasure of these burial grounds and restore dignity to those who built the city and ensure Council generation inspired.
0:51:34
Learn the history of our past.
0:51:35
Thank you.
Amanda FarÃas
0:51:36
Thank you.
