The Freedom Suits Memorial in St. Louis pays tribute to the hundreds of enslaved Missourians who fought for their freedom through the courts. Between 1803 and 1863, nearly 400 individuals filed lawsuits based on the principle "Once free, always free." If taken to a free state or territory, even briefly, they could argue for their emancipation upon returning to Missouri.
Saint Louis became a key battleground for these cases, thanks to anti-slavery lawyers who worked pro bono to challenge slavery through legal channels. Their efforts freed many, including Dred and Harriet Scott, whose case was later overturned in the 1857 Supreme Court decision that denied citizenship to Black Americans and inflamed tensions leading to the Civil War.
Unveiled in 2022 outside the Civil Courts Building, the memorial features a 14-foot bronze sculpture by Preston Jackson. It stands on black granite and bears the names of 330 freedom suit plaintiffs. The piece is part of a $1 million initiative that includes a bronze plaque and an online educational platform.
The memorial was inspired by court workers who rediscovered old case files in 2006. Judge David Mason formed a committee to honor this legacy, and in 2025, the site was added to the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. More than a sculpture, it stands as a civic symbol of justice, resilience, and the fight for human dignity.
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