Eddie Carvery, Final Holdout of Bulldozed Africville Community, Passes Away
The Africville Genealogy Society has announced the death of Eddie Carvery, the last remaining resident who steadfastly refused to leave the historic Africville community in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Carvery, who was 78 years old, became a symbol of resilience and protest against the forced displacement of Africville's Black residents.
A Community Erased, A Man Who Remained
Africville was once a thriving, self-sufficient Black community established on the shores of Bedford Basin in the 19th century. Despite facing systemic racism and neglect from municipal services, residents built homes, churches, and businesses. In the 1960s, the City of Halifax controversially bulldozed the community, relocating residents under urban renewal policies widely condemned as racist.
Eddie Carvery, however, never accepted this fate. He returned to the land in the 1970s and maintained a protest presence for decades, living in a trailer on the site where his family home once stood. His vigil became a powerful reminder of the injustice inflicted upon Africville's people.
Legal Battles and Symbolic Resistance
Carvery's fight extended to the courts. He was a frequent presence at legal proceedings, including appearances at the Nova Scotia Supreme Court as recently as 2015, seeking justice and reparations for the community's destruction. His solitary protest highlighted the ongoing struggle for recognition and reconciliation.
"He was a son of Africville in the truest sense," said a representative from the Africville Genealogy Society. "His life was a testament to the enduring spirit of our community. While the physical structures are gone, the memory and the fight for justice continue."
The Legacy of Africville
The destruction of Africville remains a dark chapter in Canadian history, a case study in systemic racism and urban planning failures. In 2010, the City of Halifax issued a formal apology and established the Africville Heritage Trust to manage a museum and memorial park on the site. However, for survivors and descendants, the emotional and cultural scars persist.
Eddie Carvery's passing marks the end of a direct, physical connection to the land as it was. His decades-long stand ensured that the story of Africville would not be forgotten, forcing Halifax and Canada to confront this painful history. The Africville Genealogy Society continues to preserve the community's history and advocate for its descendants.
The society has not yet released details regarding memorial services. Carvery's death is being mourned by community members, historians, and activists across Nova Scotia and beyond, who see him as the final, unwavering guardian of Africville's memory.
