Avenging the Ancestors Coalition | Discover Truth, Advocate for Justice (original) (raw)

Tell the Truth.

Restore Our History.

We are Avenging The Ancestors Coalition. Historians, clergy, lawyers, activists, and neighbors telling the whole truth of our history and fighting for justice today. Volunteer, attend events, or share our mission. Together we honor our ancestors and build a fairer future. Your participation matters.

Outdoor art exhibit with brick walls, paintings, and digital screens, with city buildings and blue sky in the background.

More about ATAC

Avenging The Ancestors Coalition is a Philadelphia-based collective of historians, attorneys, faith leaders, activists, and everyday citizens united to center the truth of American history and demand public remembrance where it’s been denied. Founded in 2002 from the struggle to create the Slavery Memorial at the President’s House, we combine research, legal advocacy, community storytelling, and public action to make the past shape a more just present. Learn our origins, explore our campaigns, and join a movement that honors ancestors by insisting their stories be seen, taught, and remembered.

Woman speaking at a podium outdoors, with multiple microphones, wearing a black varsity jacket with yellow patches, earrings, and braids, with a grey stone wall in the background that has engraved text.

NPS Removes Memorial

NPS staff removed interpretive panels from the President’s House Slavery Memorial after President Trump’s “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History” Executive Order. Under Mayor Cherelle Parker, Philadelphia sued the NPS and Interior Department and amended a motion for a preliminary injunction to restore the panels. Avenging The Ancestors Coalition (ATAC) and Black Journey filed amicus briefs supporting the City.

ATAC Hosts a Zoom Meeting

The President’s House Slavery Memorial Alliance and members of ATAC hosted a Zoom meeting to brief supporters and the public on recent developments.

Our Campaign Begins

ATAC officially launched a 30-Day Public Advocacy Campaign, Tell the Truth. Restore Our History., mobilizing more than 300 participants during a virtual town hall.

ATAC Launches a Public Petition

ATAC launched a public petition demanding the restoration of the President’s House Slavery Memorial panels.

Mass Rally

ATAC hosted a mass rally attended by nearly 500 people protesting the removal of the memorial panels and calling for the defense of historical truth.
The rally included Christian, Muslim, and Jewish faith leaders; Republican and Democratic community leaders; local and state elected officials; historians; activists; and concerned citizens.

President’s Day Gathering

ATAC hosted its annual President’s Day Gathering, drawing more than 100 community members to honor the nine enslaved African descendants held in bondage at the President’s House.
During the gathering, U.S. District Judge Cynthia M. Rufe publicly announced her ruling granting the City of Philadelphia’s Motion for a Preliminary Injunction, ordering the National Park Service to restore the removed interpretive panels.

Virtual Town Hall

ATAC hosted a virtual town hall with more than 160 participants to provide updates on the campaign. During the meeting, ATAC learned that the National Park Service had filed an appeal of Judge Rufe’s ruling.

Judge Rufe Orders to Reinstate the Panels

National Park Service representatives removed posters from the empty display areas and installed barricades around the President’s House Slavery Memorial, restricting public access to the site.
Later that day, Judge Rufe issued a subsequent court order requiring that the original interpretive panels be fully reinstalled by 5:00 PM on Friday, February 20, 2026.

NPS Begins Restoring Panels

National Park Service staff began restoring and reinstalling the original interpretive panels at the President’s House Slavery Memorial.
What was initially planned as a rally to protest the installation of barricades instead became a gathering to celebrate a major victory—the enforcement of Judge Rufe’s order and the restoration of historical truth.