CALL TO ACTION: Stand with Sapelo Island – Your Presence Matters on April 16, 2025
- Adrienne Huffman
- Apr 7
- 2 min read
The EcoWomanist Institute Southeast (EWISE) stands in solidarity with the Gullah Geechee community of Sapelo Island, Georgia, at this pivotal moment in their fight for ancestral land, cultural survival, and justice.
Sapelo’s Hogg Hummock community—established by descendants of enslaved West Africans—has preserved its rich cultural traditions for generations, despite ongoing threats of displacement. A 2023 zoning change permitting large-scale home expansions sparked deep concerns about rising property taxes and cultural erasure, prompting residents to file a discrimination lawsuit.
Now, with fewer than 30 full-time residents remaining, the case heads to the Georgia Supreme Court on April 16, 2025. At stake is not just land, but the right of a community to protect its heritage in the face of mounting development pressures. We urge you to show your support—your presence, whether in person or online, can make a significant difference in safeguarding this historic community’s future.
Please take a moment to read and share the call to action below. To learn more about what’s at stake, watch Sapelo Mini Documentary.
Dear Community Members, Allies, and Advocates,
On April 16, 2025, the Georgia Supreme Court will hear a landmark case that will shape the future of Sapelo Island and its historic Gullah-Geechee community. This referendum is not just a legal battle—it’s a fight for cultural survival, ancestral land rights, and justice for a community that has stewarded this land for generations.
Why Your Presence Matters
The Gullah-Geechee people of Sapelo Island have preserved their language, traditions, and connection to the land despite centuries of systemic challenges. Now, their right to self-determination hangs in the balance. By showing up, you send a powerful message: the world is watching, and we stand united in demanding fairness, respect, and the protection of this irreplaceable heritage.
This is more than a court case.
It’s about honoring the resilience of a community fighting to safeguard their home from displacement, unchecked development, and erasure. It’s about upholding the principle that "land, legacy, and liberty" are not just ideals—they are rights.
Join Us on April 16, 2025
📍 Where: Georgia Supreme Court, Atlanta
🕒 Time: Gather by 8:00 AM (hearing begins at 10:00 AM)
✊ Bring: Signs of solidarity (respectful and non-confrontational), your voice, and your resolve.
💻 Virtual Option: https://www.gasupreme.us/watch/
Spread the Word
Share this message, carpool with neighbors, and amplify the call to protect Sapelo Island.
Use #StandWithSapelo to unite our voices online.
Together, we are a force.
Let’s fill the courthouse with unwavering support, reminding the world that Sapelo’s story is one of courage, continuity, and community—and it’s a story worth fighting for.
"We are the roots of the tree. Without us, the tree cannot stand.”
— Gullah-Geechee Proverb
See you on April 16. 2025 For Sapelo, for justice, and for generations to come.
In solidarity,
Sapelo Island Gullah Geechee Descendants
Spread the word and bring a friend!
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