ATLANTA (April 18, 2019) | This week, it was announced that the United States Board of Geographic Names approved to change the name of “Runaway Negro Creek” near Savannah to “Freedom Creek.” Sen. Lester Jackson (D – Savannah) sponsored Senate Resolution 685 last year encouraging the Board of Geographic Names to rename the creek.
“After years of work with my colleagues in the General Assembly, the citizens of Savannah and our partners at the federal level, I am pleased that we have finally accomplished our goal of changing the name of “Runaway Negro Creek” to “Freedom Creek”, said Sen. Jackson. “For years, we have heard complaints about this culturally insensitive name and I am proud that its new name is more reflective of what this creek actually meant for so many: freedom. I want to thank everyone who had a hand in making this change possible and I look forward to seeing the effect this new name will have on the community.”
The move to rename “Runaway Negro Creek” began after a public interest meeting during the summer of 2017. Residents in Senate District 2 shared concerns that its current name is culturally insensitive and suggested changing the name to Freedom Creek to more accurately depict the history of the area.
# # # #
For Immediate Release:
April 18, 2019
Andrew Allison, Broadcast Specialist
andrew.allison@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028