By Reasla Teague
A coalition of civil rights groups has unanimously voted last week to petition the Maryland state government to rename the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which was destroyed last month after a cargo ship collision. Their objection stems from Key’s status as a slave owner, despite being the author of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
The Caucus of African American Leaders, comprising organizations like the NAACP and National Coalition of 100 Black Women, is urging Democratic Governor Wes Moore and the General Assembly to reconsider the bridge’s name. They suggest renaming it after Rep. Parren J. Mitchell, the first Black Marylander elected to the U.S. House in 1970.
“He spent a life, his entire life, creating a bridge between the African American community and literally the larger society,” said Carl O. Snowden of the caucus, describing Mitchell who died in 2007.
The Baltimore bridge collapsed on March 26 after being struck by a cargo ship. With over 11 million vehicles crossing it annually, federal and state officials are discussing rebuilding plans.
The caucus also recommends renaming the Sen. Frederick Malkus Memorial Bridge after Gloria Richardson, a pioneering leader of grassroots civil rights efforts.
Snowden said they will share these recommendations with Gov. Moore this week and discuss further at their quarterly meeting. Additionally, they urge creating a memorial for the six Latino workers killed in the bridge collapse.
While Key wrote the national anthem after witnessing the British defeat in 1814’s Battle of Baltimore, he was a slave owner who viewed Black people as “intrinsically inferior.” As a lawyer, he helped some Black Americans sue for freedom but later regretted it, advocating they be sent to Liberia instead.
Snowden expressed optimism given Maryland’s past actions, like removing a statue of Key’s brother-in-law Roger Taney, who authored the infamous Dred Scott decision, from the state house in 2017 after the caucus petitioned.
This post was originally published by Houston Defender.