On Tuesday, May 9, 2006, CORE officials led by Roy Innis, National Chairman, marked the 206th anniversary of the birth of John Brown and the 147th year of his execution by laying a wreath of flowers at his grave in Lake Placid, New York. .

Accompanied by CORE officials and decendents, CORE Chairman, Roy Innis,  lays  wreath at the grave of John Brown in Lake Placid, NY.

   Innis said, “John Brown’s contributions in ending slavery has not been properly recognized. Within two years of his death, the Civil War broke out. He was the spiritual inspiration of the Union Army as evidenced in the song The Battle Hymn of the Republic”.

Roy Innis and descendent of John

Brown stand by statue of Brown

     The Organization received a large amount of positive feedback from John Brown historians and scholars around the country and Canada including Brown's great-great grand daughter..

     All expressed their gratitude for honoring and giving Brown recognition for his contributions in ending slavery. In a press release dated May 9, 2006, Mr. Innis noted that within two years of John Brown’s death, the Civil War broke out.  He also stated that many are unaware that he was the spiritual inspiration of the Union Army.

     On May 17, and again on May 24, 2006, CORE will show two documentaries about John Brown that explore this historical figure from different points of view. The first documentary, Mean To Be Free:  John Brown's Black Nation Campaign, is based on the research of Jean Libby, a renowned author and historian. Unlike many negative depictions of John Brown as an erratic and unstable man, Mrs. Libby’s film uses primary sources to depict Brown as a man that was sane, deliberate and heroic.

Roy Innis and CORE Board Member, Joseph Lovece, Jr.

 at John Brown memorial.

     The first documentary, Mean To Be Free:  John Brown's Black Nation Campaign, is based on the research of Jean Libby, a renowned author and historian. Unlike many negative depictions of John Brown as an erratic and unstable man, Mrs. Libby’s film uses primary sources to depict John as a man that was sane, deliberate and heroic.  

CORE Delegation tours the grounds of the farm where Brown was born and raised and ultimately laid to rest.

    The second documentary, John Brown's Holy War, will be shown on the following Wednesday (May 24^th). The film is part of the PBS series the American Experience. In this documentary John Brown is referred to as a religious zealot, martyr and reluctant revolutionary.

     There will be a discussion after each screening explore John Brown, his legacy and his role in history. Screenings will be limited to 20 participants. Please call Corinne Innis at (212) 598-4000 to reserve a seat.

CORE Headquarters

817 Broadway, 3^rd Fl.

New York, NY 10003

(Corner of 12^th Street and Broadway)

Grounds and cabin where John Brown grew-up