This story was published between issues of the newspaper on The Virginia Defender Facebook page. Reproduced here for accessibility and archival purposes.

By Daijah Eames

HENRICO, VA, Aug. 30 – Despite the threat of a thunderstorm, about 60 people turned out today for a profoundly moving event marking the 224th anniversary of Gabriel’s Rebellion. The gathering was held at Spring Park in Henrico County, just outside Richmond, where the historic uprising was initially planned.

The gathering paid tribute to Gabriel, the 24-year-old leader of the 1800 rebellion against slavery, who labored under harsh conditions but coordinated a bold but ultimately tragic attempt at freedom.

The commemoration began with an evocative speech by Ana Edwards, a prominent activist and public historian, who performed a traditional African libation ceremony. Edwards used water gathered from the very spring where Gabriel and his co-conspirators convened, symbolically connecting past and present struggles for liberation.

Despite the extensive and careful preparations, there was a terrible storm on the day of the planned rebellion that forced the conspirators to delay their plans, which then were betrayed by one of their members.

Captured several weeks later, Gabriel maintained a stoic silence about the details of the rebellion. Tried and sentenced to death, he was executed at the gallows in Richmond, a martyr to the cause of freedom.

The anniversary event was a platform for communal reflection and discussion. An open mic session allowed attendees to voice their thoughts and feelings. One participant praised the inclusive and welcoming nature of the gathering, affirming that “freedom is a family affair because freedom is for everyone.” Another speaker highlighted the interconnectedness of Gabriel’s Rebellion with contemporary liberation movements in regions such as Palestine and Haiti.

The recurring theme of the day was the imperative of continued education and solidarity in the fight for freedom, with a poignant reminder that “We aren’t free until we are all free.”

The event, sponsored by the Sacred Ground Historical Reclamation Project of the Virginia Defenders, concluded with a renewed sense of purpose, honoring Gabriel’s legacy and reinforcing the ongoing struggle for justice and equality.