Those affected by an injustice that occurred at the height of Jim Crow will be remembered at a ceremony Saturday afternoon. In the early 1900s at least a dozen African Americans were disinterred from New Bern’s historic Cedar Grove Cemetery in order to make room for the burial of more whites. Those bodies were moved to Greenwood Cemetery and buried in a mass grave. An article in the New Bern Sun Journal in 2014 brought citizens to address the city with their concerns. The grave was excavated last year, leading to a decision to leave the commingled remains at Greenwood. The city and citizens who raised the issue agreed to place two historical plaques honoring those whose remains were moved near the entrance of both cemeteries. A public ceremony takes place Saturday (Feb. 29) at 1:00 pm at St. Peter’s AME Zion Church. The plaques will be permanently installed next month.
Ceremony to honor those disinterred under Jim Crow
