BUFFALO, N.Y. — Saturday marked the return of a group called the FreeTHEM walkers who made their way back to Western New York after walking over 900 miles.
Organizer Kelly Galloway says their mission to retrace the footsteps of freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad is meant to raise awareness and funds to battle human trafficking. She and the FreeThem walkers arrived back in Buffalo on Saturday morning.
Galloway says the most emotional part of the journey for her was in Warrenton, Virginia — the earliest spot that she can trace her ancestors.
"It was really emotional even now, like just because I don't know — I don't know who they were or where they came from. I'm not able to trace my family back you know 10 or 20 generations," Galloway said.
Galloway and the FreeTHEM walkers were set to arrive at Buffalo City Hall at 11 a.m. They hope a large crowd will greet them there and walk the last mile with them over to the African American Heritage Corridor.
"I proudly stand with the FreeTHEM walkers as they conclude their historic walk from City Hall to the African American Heritage Corridor," Mayor Byron Brown said. "Our City has a rich history in freeing slaves through the Underground Railroad. Kelly Galloway and the FreeTHEM Walkers are continuing this legacy through their bold efforts."
Added Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul: "The insidious crime of human trafficking is a form of modern day slavery. As Juneteenth approaches, I want to commend Project Mona's House founder Kelly Galloway and the 13 other FreeTHEM participants for not only walking 902 miles, along the Underground Railroad, to raise awareness around human trafficking, but also challenge us all to step up in preventing at-risk individuals from becoming victims."
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