SALISBURY, MD -- Division Street in Downtown Salisbury welcomed the inspiring "Beacon of Hope" statue by artist Wesley Wofford to its temporary home this afternoon. As the community gathered to witness the formal unveiling, the significance of the sculpture extended beyond its artistic appeal, leaving a profound impact on those in attendance.
Voices joined in song, echoing through the streets of Downtown Salisbury as residents, armed with cameras and smiles, embraced the arrival of the Harriet Tubman statue. Melva Wright expressed a deep religious connection with Tubman and the sculpture.
"She fought for freedom, and the AME Zion church is actually known as the freedom church," said Wright.
During the event, Nancy Mitchell, the Poet Laureate for the City of Salisbury, addressed Tubman's enduring legacy and expressed her hope that Tubman's fight for freedom would serve as inspiration for the entire community.
"These things that hold people back, they're bondage for them, and what she does is show us how to achieve freedom," remarked Mitchell.
The statue symbolizes freedom in a city with a troubled history of racial division, situated just yards away from a landmark acknowledging historical lynchings near the courthouse.
"We really ought to be working together to bring about the change that is needed, especially in a community like Salisbury," says Wright.
Despite the statue's proximity to a painful historical marker, its symbolic light shone brightly during the unveiling ceremony, standing tall alongside the hopes of everyone present.
Mitchell captured Tubman's indomitable spirit, saying, "She said, you know, I'll either die trying or I'll die, and I'm not giving up. So I think that that's what she is for us. She inspires us."
In a city marked by its history, the "Beacon of Hope" statue proved to be a unifying force, bringing the community together in a celebration of resilience and inspiration.