The Fight to Save Sapelo Continues

Hogg Hammock, being the last surviving Gullah Geechie community in Southeast Georgia, has attracted visitors from across the United States.

The residents of Hogg Hammock community on Sapelo Island continue the fight against the State of Georgia for their land rights. The remaining original residents face taxation and are attempting to preserve the land once owned by their ancestors on Sapelo Island.

Hogg Hammock Resident JR Grovener is in the forefront of the legal battle. Although residents’ property taxes have more than doubled, the residents do not feel that the reason for this is clear. “The taxes were so low for such a long time. The county is charging us for trash pick-up, but we don’t get it. I feel that they want to make the island more like a vacation spot for wealthy people”, said Grovener.

In an effort to fund the continuing battle against the State of Georgia, Grovener has started the organization Black Land Matters.

“We are raising money in an effort to put land back into the community and to help the residents pay their property taxes,”said Grovener.

A GoFundMe page for the organization shows that the movement has raised more than $7,000 to date of the $25,000 goal. The fundraiser will aid in the fight for the Gullah Geechie descendants to reclaim and repopulate their land on Sapelo Island.