Nonprofit pushes to protect historic Black cemetery near massive data center project | WSB-TV
A nonprofit, Honor Thy Roots, is working to protect a historic Black cemetery located next to a massive data center project, Hampton Technology Park, under construction in Henry County. The group expressed concerns about unmarked graves and the lack of archaeological surveys at the site to the Hampton City Council. Georgia Power is building a new transfer station adjacent to the cemetery and is willing to construct a permanent barrier.
A nonprofit organization, Honor Thy Roots, is advocating for the protection of a historic Black cemetery in Henry County, Georgia, which lies adjacent to a large data center development known as Hampton Technology Park. The cemetery, home to African-Americans buried before, during, and after the Civil War, contains headstones dating back over a century, but many graves are unmarked and unmapped.
Shondra Gay and Efade Lloyd from Honor Thy Roots expressed concerns that the ongoing construction of the five-building data center, covering millions of square feet, may have already encroached upon burial sites. They highlighted the absence of any archaeological surveys or data regarding the placement of bodies on the land. The group, along with other concerned citizens, attended a Hampton City Council meeting to voice their concerns, although the meeting was postponed due to a lack of council members.
While the data center developer's attorney was contacted, no direct statement was provided regarding the cemetery. However, Hampton City Manager informed reporter Steve Gelbach that Georgia Power, which is constructing a new transfer station immediately behind the cemetery, has agreed to build a permanent barrier and access point. The city is willing to collaborate on this effort. Honor Thy Roots plans to continue its efforts to ensure the cemetery is properly preserved and the burial sites are accurately documented.