City of Atlanta buys old brick company site, where convict leasing persisted

ATLANTA, Ga. (CBS46) – Proper now, it appears to be like like an previous, deserted brickyard, however the previous Chattahoochee Brick Firm web site holds a historical past mired in blood, sweat, and tears.

“That is the placement of the Chattahoochee Brick Firm. It was owned by one of many former mayors of Atlanta,” mentioned Kwame-Osheyefo Kalimara, an attendee on the ceremony Saturday.

The corporate used the convict leasing system, forcing African-Individuals to work in horrible situations, with no regard for his or her well being.

“It crammed a variety of pockets of the companies that additionally did enterprise with the mayor. Among the individuals who had been leased right here had been really buried right here,” mentioned Kalimara.

The town of Atlanta purchased the property and held a ceremony commemorating the achievement on Saturday. The town will create a park on the web site, with direct entry to the Chattahoochee River.

“The bricks had been constructed on the blood and sweat of people that didn’t have a option to work right here,” mentioned attendee Patricia Burns.

The location was initially zoned for industrial use, however now town will protect it. Mayor Andre Dickens mentioned he will likely be considering of some methods to reimagine the house and to pay homage to the deceased.

“American historical past can also be painful and that is a technique we are able to reconcile with our previous and construct unity,” mentioned Burns.

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