Return to Africville — The struggle for justice continues

Travelling in Nova Scotia last year Kathie and I both enjoyed our visit to Africville, the site of a close‐knit Black community in the north end of Halifax for over 120 years. And I have the T-shirt to prove it.

The City demolished Africville in the 1960s, and its residents have been fighting for justice ever since. And it seems the struggle is not over.

Because of racism, Black settlers were pushed to the margins of society and forced to live on the most inhospitable land. Despite this, they persevered, developing strong, vibrant communities. Africville was one such place. As one resident says, “You weren’t isolated at any time living in Africville, you always felt at home; the doors were always open.”

A recent CBC news article rejuvenated my interest in this historic site. A long-standing Africville activist, Eddie Carvery, has maintained a solitary vigil from a protest trailer on the former Africville lands on the Bedford Basin in Halifax, where he grew up.

The local Africville Heritage Trust now says Eddie Carvery’s protest trailer must be removed due to safety issues.

“Standing in front of his RV on the grounds of Africville Park in Halifax, Eddie Carvery vowed that after more than 50 years of protest, he’s not going anywhere in the face of yet another eviction order.”

The 79-year-old activist was born in Africville and has maintained a camp on the lands of the former Black community for decades, resisting multiple attempts from initially the municipality and now the Heritage Trust to end his crusade.

While he says he is struggling with his health and nearing the end of his life, Carvery said he’s not leaving until he achieves his goal of reparations for the descendants of the people of Africville.

“The community was bulldozed by the former City of Halifax in the 1960s to make room for industrial development, including the MacKay Bridge. Residents with deeds to their property were provided compensation equal to the value of their home, but residents without deeds — many of whom had lived in Africville for generations — were offered $500.”

“While we recognize the emotional and historical importance of these efforts, we also have a responsibility to ensure the safety of all visitors to the site,” wrote Carrie Hill, trust chair.

Hill said the trust was concerned that “if something were to happen” in or around Carvery’s trailer, the trust could be held liable.

Africville is now a National Historic Site. In 2010, former Africville residents and their descendants received an apology and $3 million from the city along with one hectare of land and a commitment to rebuild the Seaview United Baptist Church on the site.

The trust was set up as part of the settlement to keep “the memory and spirit of the community of Africville alive” through education and dialogue, a Halifax staff report said.

Four former residents of the historic Black community of Africville are stepping up their calls for compensation as a court action against the city of Halifax is about to enter its 30th year.

But there [has been] no offer of individual compensation, which Carvery had demanded along with a public inquiry. He rejected the settlement and refused to leave the property.

Injustice for Africville is a national disgrace. It’s time to put things right. As Carvery and others say, the struggle continues . . .

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