Man goes on hunger strike to demand restoration of Niagara cemetery headstones

76-year-old James Russell has chained himself to the sign of a burial ground in Niagara-on-the-Lake and has begun a hunger strike on Monday. Russell wants the town to restore headstones that belong to Black Americans who escaped slavery in the United States.

He says, “I’m going to sit here and I’m going to continue my hunger strike until Mr. Zalepa, the mayor of Niagara-on-the-Lake attends this location, and promises on camera that this year they will unearth, clean, and restore the 19 headstones which their employees buried back in the 1970s and ’80s.”

READ MORE: Ground-penetrating radar used to restore NOTL burial ground

The town has denied that the headstones were buried, but that they were laid flat in an effort to preserve them. Russell is known for his restoration efforts at the Niagara Baptist Church Burial Ground.

In November 2021 he petitioned the town to allow him to conduct a ground-penetrating radar survey of the grounds. The scans revealed 28 graves and 19 headstones. Russell says he wants the headstones restored, so respect can be restored.

“My goal is to restore respect to the folks who are buried here. The Black Canadian settlers who came here to escape slavery, and made their home in Canada. They’re our ancestors, they’re my ancestors, and I think they deserve it.” Russell says a quote from Archaeological Research Associates has estimated the restoration to cost $59,000.

George Webber, a member of the Friends of the Forgotten committee says although he is supportive of the recognition Russell is bringing to the cause, he says there are better ways to go about it. Webber and the committee plan to fundraise the money needed for the restoration.

READ MORE: 28 unmarked graves found on NOTL burial ground

The Chief Administrative Officer of Niagara-on-the-Lake sent a statement to CHCH News and says the town is reaching out to Russell and is working with the Friends of the Forgotten committee, saying in part, “[Staff] is currently conducting a Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment through funding raised by the Friends of the Forgotten community group. This process is being done in consultation with the Bereavement Authority of Ontario. Once completed, the results will be shared with Town Council, and next steps will be determined.”

Russell says he plans to stay.