"Slave Descendants Battle for Land Rights Amidst Local Vote on Enclave Development"
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The Guardian US
The Gullah-Geechee community, descendants of enslaved people, are fighting against the removal of zoning restrictions in Hogg Hammock, a historic area on Sapelo Island, Georgia. The community fears that the removal of these restrictions will lead to wealthy transplants developing larger homes, increasing property taxes, and displacing them. The county, which is 65% white, has voted to remove language acknowledging the area's unique needs and preventing the removal of the indigenous population. This dispute is the latest in a series of conflicts between county officials and the small historic Black community, who have previously protested against property tax increases and sued the county for racial discrimination. Residents and state lawmakers are calling for a delay in the vote to protect their cultural history and heritage.