A Fight Against Billionaire Developers, Corrupt Politicians, and Erasure of Black History

We are the Bethesda African Cemetery Coalition (BACC)—a small but powerful grassroots organization made up of community advocates, faith leaders, educators, students, and descendants. For over seven years, we’ve been fighting to protect Moses Macedonia African Cemetery in Bethesda, Maryland—a sacred burial ground desecrated by developers and ignored by local officials.This is not just about one cemetery. This is about a national pattern of erasing Black history for profit. And we are saying: No more.

The Truth About Moses Cemetery

Moses Macedonia African Cemetery is the final resting place of formerly enslaved Africans, their descendants, and dozens of children. Many of the girls buried here were trafficked as young as 4 years old, subjected to forced labor and sexual violence. More than 60% of enslaved girls under 10 died during forced childbirth. The boys were rented out, beaten, and worked to death before ever knowing freedom. We have confirmed that WWII hero H.H Brown was also buried at Moses Cemetery in Bethesda, Maryland.

Their bodies lie beneath a parking lot and apartment complex on River Road. There was no formal excavation. No relocation. Just greed and silence.We have uncovered evidence of human remains, bones and funerary artifacts, and we’ve stood in front of bulldozers to stop further desecration. The developers want silence. We want truth and justice.

The System Is Against Us And Still, We Fight

We are facing:

Millionaire and billionaire developers with deep pockets and powerful lawyers

Corrupt politicians who rubber-stamp land deals and ignore state burial laws

A county that claims diversity but desecrates Black burial grounds for commercial gain

Institutions more interested in profit than in people

For over 7 years, we’ve held protests, filed lawsuits, spoken at hearings, partnered with educators, and built a community movement.We’ve even hosted a town hall with Montgomery County Public Schools to educate students and families on this history. Our message is reaching young people, elders, and descendants, but we need your help to grow.

Why We’re Fundraising And What Your Support Does

We are asking for urgent support to:

Hire a loyal legal team to stand up to the developers and fight for us in court

Print and distribute more educational books and t-shirts for awareness and fundraising

Support community education events, workshops, and student programming including our high school internship programs

Build a national and international movement to protect Black cemeteries everywhere

Keep our small organization intact, covering basic operating costs so we can continue organizing, teaching, and resisting

We are not a large nonprofit. We are a people’s movement, powered by the descendants, led by the community, and built from the ground up. Every dollar you give goes directly to the fight.

We Remember What They Want Forgotten

The developers may have bulldozed our ancestors’ graves, but they didn’t bury our memory.This is sacred ground. This is a fight for children who were never given a future. For mothers who died in silence. For fathers who built homes on land that was stolen. This is about repair, recognition, and responsibility.Stand with us as we protect this land, tell this truth, and build the memorial and museum our ancestors deserve.

They Have Money. We Have Truth.

We may not have millions, but we have a righteous cause.We may be small, but we are deeply rooted.Help us grow. Help us fight. Help us win.

#BlackCemeteriesMatter

#RestoreMosesCemetery

#JusticeForRiverRoad

#BACC

#LoveOthersByServingOthers

#ProtectBlackHistory