Even Before Sanctuary Cities, Here's How Black Americans Protected Fugitive Slaves

Abolitionist leaders even established networks to help lead slaves to freedom in Canada. Over the past few days, the national climate has grown increasingly tense over the issue of “sanctuary” cities and states. Local communities, including some college and university campuses, have pledged to shield undocumented children and adults from President Donald Trump’s proposals for deportation. Municipalities and campuses remain steadfast even in the face of the president’s threats to withhold federal funding from these communities. This opposition between federal authorities and local communities is hardly new. As a scholar of slavery and emancipation, I have studied the long history of...