FreedomWalk2026 Crosses into Canada

by Jim Voorhees

On July 1, Tony Cohen left Cataract Commons, a public park in downtown Niagara Falls, New York and walked smartly toward the Rainbow Bridge, which connects New York to Canada. The day was sunny and warm. Clouds dotted the sky, leaving few shadows. A crowd accompanied him, taking pictures, taking in the moments before FreedomWalk2026 reached the destination promised for months.

Months earlier, Tony Cohen had launched FreedomWalk2026 as a way to commemorate the 250th anniversary of this country's birth. It was also the 30th anniversary of his first walk in 1996.

FreedomWalk2026 followed the same path as that earlier walk, beginning in Sandy Spring and going through Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York, then up the Hudson Valley to Albany and across New York state through Auburn and Rochester, homes of Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass, to Buffalo and Niagara Falls. But in 2026, Tony did not do the walk alone. He was accompanied by several people and supported by a host of others. Moreover, a statue of Harriet Tubman, mounted on a trailer, followed FreedomWalk2026 all the way, adding interest and excitement to the tour.

Shortly before 11 a.m., Tony reached the turnstile gate that led to the bridge. He stopped. Pictures were taken. Those who would not cross said farewell. He passed through the gate, going onto the Rainbow Bridge, the Falls visible to the left. Halfway across, a plaque marked the border. Tony and his twenty-odd fellow walkers continued to Canadian customs. An agent asked for identification from the those who remained, then passed them through. FreedomWalk2026 had reached Canadian soil.

Harriet Tubman had done this herself more than once, but she, embodied in the Journey to Freedom statue, had to do it once more. Tony returned to find her, accompanied by the sculptor, Wesley Wofford. They crossed on the Lewiston-Queenstown Bridge, unsure whether Canadian customs would let her through, knowing that the agents had discretion. Wesley was convincing, and the agent let her through.

Tony and Harriet’s statue remained in Canada for another week, visiting places where Freedom Seekers found freedom after their crossing. Just as Harriet Tubman herself returned to the United States, so will Tony and the statue, which will be on display at Button Farm during September and October.