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Official Opening Held For President's House Memorial Site

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The President's House memorial site is open to the public after a moving ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday on Independence Mall.

nutter scissor
(A National Park Service ranger observes as Mayor Nutter wields the scissors for the ribbon cutting. Photos by Karin Phillips)

"We will never forget you, and we will always avenge you," attorney Michael Coard said of the presidents' slaves during the ceremony.

Coard is co-founder of the "Avenging the Ancestors Coalition" (ATAC), which began the early protests demanding that the stories of all of those who lived in the house be told at the President's House site.

Dr. Daddese (no last name given), a local "Buffalo soldier" re-enactor who attended the ceremony in full Civil War dress, thinks it is a magnificent monument.

"I was looking for the feeling of the metaphysical fact that the ancestors are still here," he said, "and the collusion of all of us as an American people to be together civilly, and to finally be recognized in some way concerning our contribution to this nation."

Listen To The Audio …

Reported by Karin Phillips, KYW Newsradio 1060.

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