HOUSTON – Prayers were answered in Freedmen's Town on Monday as crews tried to begin a controversial street project that many say would destroy history.
The city says it needs to remove historic bricks in Freedmen's Town to install utility lines.
But neighbors say the bricks represent hard work and money spent by former slaves who started their own community.
Demonstrators moved in and stopped the removal of the block of bricks from happening. There were loud protests and silent protests. Some of those committed to saving the bricks refused to move, blocking crews from doing their work.
"You must understand this is our heritage," Dorris Ellis, of the Freedmen's Town Preservation Coalition, said. "This is America, and these people who paid for these bricks made it possible for us to be here today."
The city had planned to remove a block's worth of bricks as a test to see how much work it required and the condition of the bricks. The plan was to remove them, wash them, do city construction and then put them back. But demonstrators temporarily stopped the work.
"The battle is over," Ellis said. "This is just the battle today. We must expect to have other battles so we can have history."
The controversy brought out U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee, who said she's in favor of delaying the work so more time can be spent studying options and having a dialogue between all sides.
"This was an important day today because it reinforced commitment," she said. "A decision was made by the people, and we hope to embrace more people. We have showed everyone we can work together."
By midday the city was replacing the small number of bricks it had just removed, agreeing to put the project on hold, at least for Monday.
That gave some hope.
"We've got work to do," Ellis said. "You must keep praying. Stay vigilant."
The controversy has been going on for months, and now there is no clear path going forward.
If the bricks are removed, it won't likely happen until late next month.
The Public Works Department Monday released a statement to Local 2 that read, "Work has begun on the City of Houston brick street and underground utility project along Wilson Street in Houston's Historic Freedman's Town. Today's process was designed to demonstrate the method of brick removal, as well as the cleaning and restoration protocol. This demonstration was to ensure the project met Federal, State and Texas Historical Commission guidelines. This project originated with the federal funding earmark by Congressman Sheila Jackson Lee and was approved for full funding by City Council. This capital improvement addresses the deteriorating condition of the infrastructure while trying to preserve the legacy of the brick streets consistent with how other cities have preserved historical brick streets."