New Haven Independent

The dock was packed with people from all over the Northeast as the final of umpteen ceremonies was held on-board ship. One of them was New Havener Deal Morais. She was one of many who talked of history and God. “It’s history and learning about our heritage, and what we went through and what other people went through in their trials and tribulations. Thank you, Jesus.”

Click here for some of the drumming that revved everyone up for the launch.

The 18-month, 14,000-mile voyage includes stops in England, a homecoming in Sierra Leone, and a sail through the Caribbean, from which the original Amistad set sail with its 53 captives in 1839.

The voyage promotes “inter-racial cooperation, dialog, unity and understanding,” according to the write-up in the Amistad America Atlantic Freedom Tour packet.

Clifton Graves (pictured, with the Amistad disappearing over his right shoulder), a founding board member of Amistad America and now vice president of the organization, addressed the throngs on the ship and the dock and afterward spoke to this reporter about his feelings on seeing the ship sail out of New Haven harbor on its way to Sierra Leone, to fulfill its mission of “Confronting the Past — Transforming the Future.” He said, through the voyage and attendant educational efforts, he’s “excited and thrilled to continue to fight issues related to civil rights and human rights.” Click here to hear more.

Several of those present at the launch expressed concern for the safety of the ship and the crew on the high seas, since it is a small vessel. But Graves said it passed several inspections and he’s confident it’s sea-worthy. Click here for more on this.

Althea Norcott is head of the New Haven-Freetown, Sierra Leone Sister City Project. She said it didn’t rain because the spirits had finally been tended to. Click here for her explanation.

By the way, two hours after the launch, the sky turned black and rain poured down — briefly.