Statements Regarding the John Brown Farm and New York State Government

My position is that New York State should be forced to come up with the very tiny money that is required to keep the site open. Local, and larger national, forces can form a friends group with contributions and a local bank account that can be used for occasional crisis moments, and as a fund for contributions to site improvements, etc. (That is as a supplement and not a substitute for state funds.) The John Brown Society would, of course, be proud to be a dues paying member of such a friends group.

Privatization plans, no matter how well intended, open the road to possible sales of parts of the property. We should fight these ideas. The site should continue to be maintained as an entire site, and run by New York State.

Larry Lawrence, Chairman, The John Brown Society

Thank you everyone for all of your emails, phone calls, letters and updates on what is being done to fight for the survival of the John Brown Farm. It is amazing what can be accomplished by a few dedicated souls.

I have heard about support from Roy Innis and Joe Lovece of C.O.R.E. Dr E Faye Washington and Dick Gregory have tossed their hats into the ring, and are writing to the Governor and others about the importance of the farm. Danny Glover has been contacted and asked to assist. I have calls into Hillary and Bill Clinton to alert them to this travisty and try to get their support. Scholars, historians, Brown Family members, musicians, and laypeople are all working together to keep the farm open to the public.

To each and every one of you, I say THANK YOU for your help in saving a site that is not only important to me personally, but is also important to American history.

Please continue to update me on your status. Together we CAN SAVE THE FARM!

Alice Keesey Mecoy, Great-Great-Great Granddaughter of John Brown