Stafford Springs, CT – Rev. Torli H. Krua, a distinguished Liberian human rights activist and advocate for social justice, is set to deliver the Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Address under the theme “Unfinished Business.” The event, scheduled for Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 2:00 PM, will be held at the Strafford Baptist Church, located at 12 Leonard Road, Stafford Springs, Connecticut.
According to a release, Rev. Krua’s address will delve into a two-century-old secret treaty between the U.S. Government and King Zoda of Mesurado (West Africa). The treaty, dating back to 1821, transferred control of a territory for the exclusive settlement of Black citizens of the United States. Rev. Krua will argue that this treaty played a pivotal role in shaping the socio-political landscape of both Liberia and the United States.
As part of his presentation, Rev. Krua will reveal a copy of the treaty and hand it over to the Boston People’s Reparation Commission, launch a fundraising campaign to support education initiatives in Liberia, highlighting “the enduring impact of U.S.-sponsored systemic segregation and second-class citizenship in the region.”
The release further noted that the address will also examine critical historical moments and legal frameworks, including the Brom & Betts v. Ashley case, which set a precedent for Black citizenship rights under the Massachusetts Constitution, the 1790 Nationality Act, which restricted U.S. citizenship to “white persons.” It will also examine the 1788 U.S. Constitution, which “upheld slavery and codified racial inequities,” and the “secret 1821 treaty’s role in facilitating the forced resettlement of Black citizens to Africa, aligning with a broader strategy to whiten America while sustaining the institution of slavery.”
This year’s address comes amid heightened concerns about racial justice in the United States, including former President Trump’s plans for “Mass Deportation.” Rev. Krua will also highlight a lawsuit filed by descendants of American settlers under the 1821 treaty, seeking U.S.-sponsored repatriation, reparations, and reconciliation to address the ongoing harm caused by systemic racism.
The event promises to be a thought-provoking exploration of history and its contemporary implications. It is free and open to the public. Community members and advocates for racial justice are encouraged to attend and engage in this important dialogue.
Rev. Torli Krua is the founder of the Universal Human Rights International (UHRI) and the Free Liberia Movement, an advocacy arm of UHRI. Through these platforms, he has been advocating for equal opportunities for Liberians including U.S. visa waiver for Liberia and other humanitarian programs.