The Egbert Marsh Trust, an African American family, faces a critical battle to preserve our land ‐ the historic site of the 1733 St. John slave rebellion, led by the courageous Queen Breffu. Our vision is to turn this land into the Queen Breffu Freedom Park, a place of education and remembrance.
This fight is not just about our family's legacy; it's about the ongoing struggle for justice faced by Black landowners across the country. We are descendants of slaves who were never given ownership of the land they toiled on. Yet, here we are, generations later, facing fabricated lawsuits and unfair tax burdens that threaten to take away our rightful inheritance.
We're facing two major challenges that threaten not only our family's heritage but also the creation of the Queen Breffu Freedom Park:
A company, VI Electron, is suing us based on a fabricated verbal agreement to buy the land. Such agreements are not legal in the US Virgin Islands (USVI). This bogus lawsuit clouds the title, preventing us from using the land to raise funds for our legal defense.
It is believed that a past estate tax return was mishandled, resulting in a staggering $4.5 million bill. We need legal help to challenge this unfair burden. These issues drain our resources and delay the creation of the Queen Breffu Freedom Park.
The frivolous lawsuit and ongoing property taxes threaten our ability to preserve this historic land and honor Queen Breffu's legacy. Developing the park requires overcoming these financial hurdles, along with initial development costs.
Your contribution, big or small, makes a difference. Donate now and be a part of preserving history and creating a space for education and remembrance.
In addition to donating, your voice can make a powerful difference:
Defend the legacy of the Egbert Marsh Trust and honor the memory of Queen Breffu by securing the creation of the Queen Breffu Freedom Park. Let it stand as a symbol of the fight for justice for Black landowners everywhere.