By Kenisha Brown, Cooley Senior High School Frederick Douglass-John Brown Detroit Meeting Site The Frederick Douglass—John Brown Meeting Site is located on Congress near St. Antoine Street. A Michigan Historical Marker is located just behind the current Blue Cross-Blue Shield Building. The meeting between these two prominent abolitionists took place on March 12, 1859, at the home of local Black leader William Webb. Both men met and debated with many other African-American residents of Detroit. The group met secretly to discuss methods for abolishing slavery in America. The later met with other Canadian abolitionist leaders at First Baptist Church in nearby Chatham, Ontario. Frederick Douglass was an antislavery orator, leader and writer. He wanted a political solution to slavery. John Brown was a fiery antislavery leader. He advocated the use of violence to end slavery. He promoted the armed insurrection against slave holders. John Brown later died after an assault on the United States arsenal at Harpers Ferry. He was captured, tried and hanged. Many consider this event to be the spark that helped to start the Civil War. |
