Freedmen’s Town Preservation Coalition

For Immediate Release Contact

August 18, 2014 Dorris Ellis Robinson 713-443-9774

or 713-524-0786

Press Conference on the Steps of City Hall, Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 4 PM

FTCP meets with Mayor Annise Parker at 6 PM

HOUSTON—Dorris Ellis Robinson, president of the Freedmen’s Town Preservation Coalition (FTPC) announces a press conference Tuesday, August 18 at 4 PM on the steps of City Hall. The conference takes place following FTPC’s 6th public hearing appearance before the Houston City Council and before a called and agreed upon special meeting between Mayor Annise Parker and the Freedmen’s Town Preservation Coalition. The Coalition will meet with Mayor Parker and her staff at 6 PM in her conference room in an effort to further explain the priceless value and significance the bricks at Andrews and Wilson. FTPC stresses that the bricks that were purchased by Freedmen are a Traditional Cultural Property that are protected under the National Historic Perseveration Act.

Located in a National Historic District, the “Removal of bricks from Andrews and Wilson streets is not preservation,” clarifies Catherine Roberts, founder of Rutherford Yates Museum. Recognizing the need for updated utilities, the city’s plan to dig up the bricks is based on digging under the historic streets to allow for utility inlay and thereby, destroys the legacy left by Freedmen following their enslavement. FTPC instead, is proposing micro-tunneling under the sidewalks to save the historic bricks.

While the meeting takes place, residents will hold a solidarity vigil outside city hall.

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