The Underground Railroad (jan 1, 1820 – jan 1, 1860)

Description:

From around the early 1820's to 1860's a covert network of people and groups assisted in the aid of helping escaped slaves to freedom into the North and Canada, being secretly led by notable abolitionist and anti-slavery figures such as Harriet Tubman, Levi Coffin, William Still, Thomas Garret and others known as "conductors". Not a literal railroad and not located underground, this network of individuals provided food, temporary shelter, money, and provided passage or guidance for runaway slaves through hostile areas into Northern cities or other countries where they would be safe from the persecutory policies and legislature of the time (U.S. Department of the Interior, n.d.)

The underground railroad and those who led/aided in the organization stood up against the injustices of the time by defying legislature and policies such as the Fugitive Slave Acts of 1793 and 1850 in order to provide aid and safe passage for runaway slaves. These individuals put their freedoms and lives at stake to help these slaves, defying federal and local law to uphold their moral principles and stand against the institution of slavery. Their efforts were significant in rallying support for eventual anti-slavery policies and emancipation (U.S. Department of the Interior, n.d.).

The underground railroad still has much relevance today, although the institution of slavery no longer exists, its effects and similar policies are still rampant. Criminal justice policy still targets entire groups of marginalized individuals and allows for the criminalization of defiance against these policies.

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