Faneuil Hall is named for the slavetrader who gave it to the City of Boston– the wealthy merchant Peter Faneuil (1700-1743).  He made his money by sending New England products to enslaved labor farms (“plantations") in the Caribbean. In exchange, ships with enslaved Africans arrived in Boston at nearby Dock Square and a marketplace of enslaved men, women, and children flourished on the site of what we call Slavetrader (Faneuil) Hall. It was a marketplace of misery.

In 1750, Suffolk County was home to 1,270 enslaved people, 10% of the total population. They were bought and sold by traders like Faneuil, many more enslaved people were taken elsewhere in Massachusetts and beyond. Slavetrader (Faneuil) Hall is incongruously known as the "Cradle of Liberty” and a site on the Freedom Trail.  In fact, Peter Faneuil was a white supremacist and monarchist who contributed NOTHING to liberty and freedom.  His name speaks only of subjugation and bondage. His name distorts and obscures the true historical narrative: Boston’s economy, governance, and culture was built - not on lofty democratic ideals - but on the lowly granite foundation and iron chains of slavery.  No public building should bear the name of a white supremacist whose sole and foremost legacy is stained by blood, tears, and torn flesh. 

THE WHOLE TRUTH of Peter Faneuil must be told! For this citadel of democracy to bear his name CHAINS ALL OF US to the worst of our past! 

WE MUST BREAK THE CHAINS! 

Names are symbols that recall our values and point us to a desired FUTURE.  Attached to an iconic and purported symbol of democracy, the name of Faneuil is a disgrace to Boston.

We call upon the City of Boston to CHANGE THE NAME!

Since 2017, protesters have requested a hearing with our Mayor and the Boston City Council to discuss the horrific history of Slavetrader (Faneuil) Hall. The purpose of the hearing is racial repair and reconciliation by:

1) Serving as a public forum to consider renaming of Slavetrader (Faneuil) Hall and to plan an inclusive grassroots process to choose a name of which we may be proud.

2) Identifying and discussing opportunities within the Marketplace and throughout the City to create a holistic narration that includes Boston's history of enslavement and centuries of struggle by Boston area indigenous residents and people of color, particularly African-Americans.

3) Examining ways that the Boston public schools can teach the legacy of poisonous racism and its antidotes.

4) Engaging in systemic policy reform to address issues of race, discrimination, segregated housing, economic inequity, health disparity, and high rates of Black male homicide and incarceration.

Please sign this petition to demand a hearing from Boston City Council and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.  Please share this petition.

Thank you,

New Democracy Coalition 

Feel free to email thenewdemocracycoalition@gmail.com with any questions or feedback as well.