By: Shazia Nazir, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Tilbury Times Reporter
Historian Anthony Cohen has once again retraced the perilous journey once taken by countless freedom seekers—a route that once formed the backbone of the Underground Railroad, the secret network that ushered thousands of enslaved people to freedom in Canada.
Cohen’s 2026 Freedom Walk, which began in May, pays tribute to both the freedom seekers who risked everything for liberty and the abolitionists who aided them. At the heart of the tour stands a nine-foot bronze sculpture of Harriet Tubman, titled “Journey to Freedom,” created by North Carolina sculptor Wesley Wofford.
The statue travelled with Cohen, stopping at significant Underground Railroad sites, including the John Freeman Walls Historic Site in Lakeshore and Sandwich First Baptist Church in Windsor, before culminating at the Amherstburg Freedom Museum.
This ambitious journey saw Cohen cover 750 miles by foot, boat, horse, and buggy, beginning in Sandy Spring, Maryland. From there, he made his way through Delaware, New Jersey, and New York before crossing into Southwestern Ontario, retracing nearly 600 miles of the original Underground Railroad trail. The trek’s conclusion in Amherstburg echoed the final steps taken by many freedom seekers generations ago.
Cohen is no stranger to this historic journey. He first made a similar trek in 1996, motivated by a desire to shine a light on this chapter of history. That experience led him to establish the Menare Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of the Underground Railroad through immersive educational programs.
“Thirty years ago, I made this journey,” said Cohen, now 62. “I wanted to revisit that journey in conjunction with America’s 250th birthday. I wanted to make sure the narrative was truthful—an ongoing quest for life and the pursuit of happiness, especially in these turbulent times.”
Cohen sees striking parallels between the era of the Underground Railroad and today’s world. “It involved borders and immigration, oppression, citizenship—all the headlines we see today,” he explained. “Canada was the ultimate destination, beyond the reach of the federal government. In this political climate, coming to Canada seems especially relevant.”
He also reflected on the changes since his first journey. “When I embarked on this journey 30 years ago, there wasn’t much information available. The Underground Railroad was often dismissed as shrouded in mystery, with little documentation. The internet helped change that.”
This time, Cohen noted a marked increase in public awareness. “I found far more commemoration on the landscape—historical markers, plaques, preserved buildings, and self-guided tours.”
Freedom Walk 2026 is more than a physical trek; it is a living memorial to the bravery and resilience of those who risked everything for liberty. Through his journey, Cohen not only honours the past but also reminds us of the enduring relevance of these stories in shaping the ongoing quest for freedom and justice.
“The public reaction has been incredible,” Cohen said. “Wherever we go, we ask our supporters: What would you like to see as Canadians and Americans in the next 200 years? This helps us frame who we are in time.”
Cohen’s lifelong commitment to safeguarding the legacy of the Underground Railroad is evident in his work as founder and president of the Menare Foundation.
“It is said that a journey of 1,000 miles begins with one step,” Cohen reflected. “The past is what got us here; we’re responsible for the future.”