Black Lives Matter is considered a relatively modern movement but in Worcester during the 1800s, Black Lives Always Mattered. Black and Brown people worked to help free enslaved people, provided shelter and care for new arrivals, raised funds, and attended rallies and political events.

As the news article above from 1895 states “it is expedient and wise that we, as a people, in order to maintain our rights and liberties must unite ourselves in a union for mutual protection, and rise or fall together fighting for justice, peace, and equality.”

More than 125 years later – and we are still fighting that same battle.