SAVANNAH - A group of Haitian-Americans in Florida hopes to build a monument in Savannah to honor their Haitian ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War. <br>
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Savannah City Manager Michael Brown said the Haitian American Historical Society, based in North Miami, Florida, is eyeing Franklin Square as a site for a granite and bronze monument. <br>
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The city's Sites and Monuments Commission must approve the project, which would be paid for by the society. About 1,500 free black Haitian volunteers fought in the 1779 Siege of Savannah as part of French forces. <br>
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Franklin Square is home to the First African Baptist Church, which was founded by slaves. Supporters hope a Haitian monument would draw tourists. <br>
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The monument would be just the second marker in Savannah dedicated to people of African descent. <br>
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The city is soon to begin a foundation for a $350,000 granite-and-bronze African-American monument showing a black family in slavery with broken chains at their feet.
