The Paul Robeson Memorial Concert
May 18, 2002 Peace Arch State Park
Blaine, Washington

Peace Arch Park
May 18th, 2002

Fifty years ago Paul Robeson, one of the greatest voices of our time, stood on the back of a flatbed truck at the Canada/US Peace Arch boarder crossing and sang songs of solidarity, justice and peace to more than 40,000 people.

Who was Paul Robeson?

Paul Robeson was the son of an escaped slave, the second black man to be named college football All-American and the third black scholar ever to attend Columbia Law School. An accomplished actor and a magnificent singer, Robeson's deep resonant voice and commitment to social justice inspired millions.

For years he performed around the world, singing in many different languages with a single theme. "The idea of my concerts," he said, "is to suggest that all men are brothers because of their music."

In the 1940s Robeson was one of the most prominent Black men in the world. However, with the advent of McCarthyism, the US government branded him as one of the most dangerous men in the world'. Concerts were cancelled, recordings were removed from the shelves and his passport revoked. Robeson's career and personal life suffered greatly.

On May 18th 1952

Denied permission to leave the U.S. and sing at a Mine Mill Conference in Vancouver, Robeson stood on the back of a flat bed truck and sang songs of defiance and solidarity to 40,000 people on the US-Canadian border at the Peace Arch.

On May 18th 2002 that historic event will be commemorated with another concert on the border in Peace Arch Park. Its purpose is to bring together people of conscience from Canada and the United States, to celebrate the life and achievements of Paul Robeson and to build solidarity among those who are working for change.

This free event will present inspiring music and other performance, featuring artists of major international stature and great performers from the Pacific Northwest.

The piano Lawrence Brown played at the original concert in 1952 , lovingly kept all these years, will once again be on stage. Artists who live, work and sing for the things that Robeson represented, "peace and a decent life for all men, women, and children", will perform from that stage.

Music will include numerous pieces from Paul Robeson's repertoire. His 1952 speech will be performed and two addresses will be given: by a Canadian and an American activist. There will also be a historical display of pictures and memorabilia from the original concert and a corner for elders who were part of the 1952 events to tell their stories.

Here We Stand!

The 2002 Peace Arch Concert will reach back across the years to remember the people, the music, and the vision of Robeson which were part of the 1952 concert. And it will reach forward into our future. 

Through it, artists who live, work and sing for the things that Robeson represented will help us renew our commitment. In the face of governments who serve the wealthy, confronted by racism, oppression, globalization and war we'll draw on the bonds of solidarity that span the decades and span the globe.

Event Photo Album 1

Event Photo Album 2