Michael Coard, a prominent attorney and founding member of the Avenging the Ancestors Coalition (ATAC), has initiated a campaign to restore the slavery memorial at the President’s House site in Philadelphia. This comes after the memorial was dismantled in response to an executive order from the Trump administration aimed at removing content deemed to disparage American history.
Coard, who played a critical role in the establishment of the slavery memorial, addressed a gathering at Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church on January 24, 2026. He emphasized that the fight for a permanent exhibit at the President’s House site is far from over. “Our goal, first and foremost, is to remain at that site — intact,” he stated, highlighting the significance of the location where enslaved individuals once lived during the nation’s early years.
The memorial, located on Independence Mall, was created to honor the lives of nine enslaved people who served at the first presidential mansion. The Trump administration’s push to remove educational displays, including those titled “Life Under Slavery” and “The Dirty Business of Slavery,” faced backlash from activists who view it as an attempt to whitewash history.
In September 2023, federal authorities set a deadline for national parks to revise or eliminate controversial content as part of the administration’s broader campaign. In response to the removal of the memorial, Coard and ATAC are considering a multi-faceted strategy to reinstate the exhibit, which has been a focal point of education about slavery since its inception in 2002.
According to Coard, there has been a surge of public sentiment against the removal of the memorial, with many expressing sorrow and anger. Flowers and signs, such as “Slavery was real,” were left at the site as a tribute to its historical significance. The removal of the exhibits has prompted community engagement, with local artists encouraged to create works that reflect the ongoing struggle for recognition and education about this dark chapter in American history.
The memorial’s dismantling has stirred a strong emotional response among advocates who argue that erasing such historical narratives undermines the nation’s commitment to learning from its past. “There’s something about the full story being told,” said one community leader, reflecting on the importance of preserving the history of those who were enslaved.
Coard’s rallying cry, “Stand up, fight back, and resist,” resonates with many who support the movement to restore the memorial. He encourages individuals to take action, whether through social media advocacy or by visiting the site to show support.
The future of the President’s House slavery memorial remains uncertain, but Coard’s commitment to advocating for its restoration is clear. As conversations about how to approach America’s historical narrative continue, the efforts to reclaim this memorial stand as a testament to the resilience of those fighting for acknowledgment and justice in the face of adversity.
