Armed with knives and axes, the enslaved stormed the plantation owner’s home. Despite being injured, he somehow escaped their clutches – but it didn’t matter. They took whatever weapons they could find, and marched onwards!
Led by Charles Deslondes in 1811, they headed downriver to New Orleans. Their plan? Meet with the governor there, and demand he abolish slavery in Lousiana – by force.
As they marched, more and more of the enslaved joined.
At its peak, the march was five hundred people strong, with enslaved people from over ten plantations unified. Plantation owners fled their homes, and the governor, terrified, placed the whole city on lockdown.
The rebellion march came to a halt when it came into contact with a white militia, armed to the teeth, ready to finally destroy the revolt. A brutal clash followed. Bullets met Black flesh – and it was over.
It had been the largest slave rebellion in history, and today is considered the very first march for freedom in the United States.
The march was struck down, but the power of our unity drove fear into our oppressors. We must never forget the terrifying power of Black people united in common purpose.