Taskforce to address abandoned, destroyed African American cemeteries signed into law

A new law signed Friday sets the stage for a comprehensive task force to ensure African American cemeteries across the state are discovered, recognized and protected from the fate cemeteries like Zion suffered when it was destroyed in the early 20th century for redevelopment and erased underneath public housing, a towing lot and two neighboring businesses.
“Slavery and segregation are black spots on Florida’s history, and it can’t be erased. And this legislation at least gives us the opportunity to right this historical injustice,” said state Sen. Janet Cruz.

Cruz, a Democrat who represents Florida’s 18th District, championed the legislation that establishes the Task Force on Abandoned African-American Cemeteries.

“We all watched in such horror as mass graves were uncovered at Zion cemetery under the Robles park at the Tampa Housing (Authority) property and then, that wasn’t enough–Ridgewood cemetery at King High School,” said Cruz. “We estimate that there are probably 3000 of these cemeteries that exist within our state, and they were intentionally abandoned, and it’s a very, very dark remnant from our ghastly time in our state’s history.”

According to the bill, the secretary of state will serve as the chair of the task force. Other members will include a representative from the Bureau of Archaeological Research, Florida NAACP, Florida Council of Churches, Florida African American Heritage Preservation Network, Florida Public Archaeology Network, one representative from the cemetery industry, one member from each chamber of the Florida Legislature and one elected official from local government.

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