Plan for memorial honoring black patriots stalls in Congress

Most accounts of the Revolutionary War give the impression that America’s independence from Britain was won by brave white men. Maurice Barboza of Alexandria, Virginia wants to tell the rest of the story. The former lobbyist is trying to revive an effort to build the first monument on the National Mall honoring black colonial soldiers.

Congress first approved the idea for a memorial honoring enslaved and free black Revolutionary War soldiers and a prominent site for the project more than 20 years ago. After years of planning, the idea languished due to fundraising and management problems. Currently, Barboza is trying to convince the National Park Service and Congress to give the memorial another chance.

Some Senate and House members are supporting Barboza’s group, the National Mall Liberty Fund D.C., but it’s unlikely their measures will make much progress this congressional year.