Lead by artist Dread Scott a group of re-enactors recreate the largest slave revolt in United States history, the German Coast Uprising of 1811 in LaPlace, Louisiana, Friday, Nov. 8, 2019.
In 1811 Charles Deslondes led a group who attacked slave owner Manual Andry at his plantation, which still stands and is called Woodland Plantation now. John McCusker recreated Andry and was attacked at the plantation while John Gravois, seen here, recreated an attack of another enslaver on the Mississippi River levee in LaPlace. The rebellion got as far as modern-day Kenner, Louisiana before troops from New Orleans forced the 500 slaves back and captured many of them. More than 50 of the rebels were sentenced to death and beheaded with their heads place on pikes along the river levee while others were placed in the French Quarter in New Orleans.
Dread Scott didn’t learn of the slave rebellion until recently as the rebellion is mostly unknown even to residents of St. John Parish, but Scott feels it’s important for people to know that many slaves were not passive and fought for their freedom throughout history.
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Lead by artist Dread Scott, wearing red sash at left, a group of re-enactors recreate the largest slave revolt in United States history, the German Coast Uprising of 1811 in LaPlace, Louisiana, Friday, Nov. 8, 2019 with shouts of On to New Orleans! Freedom or Death! In 1811 Charles Deslondes led a group who attacked slave owner Manual Andry at his plantation, which still stands and is called Woodland Plantation now. John McCusker recreated Andry and was attacked at the plantation while John Gravois, seen here, recreated an attack of another enslaver on the Mississippi River levee in LaPlace. The rebellion got as far as modern-day Kenner, Louisiana before troops from New Orleans forced the 500 slaves back and captured many of them. Over 50 of the rebels were sentenced to death and beheaded with their heads place on pikes along the river levee while others were placed in the French Quarter in New Orleans. Dread Scott didnt learn of the slave rebellion until recently as the rebellion is mostly unknown even to residents of St. John Parish, but Scott feels its important for people to know that many slaves were not passive and fought for their freedom throughout history. Photo by Matthew Hinton