Rev. Robert Turner Will Walk 40 Miles for Reparations
Pastor Robert Turner will journey 40 miles across Maine on Tuesday to advocate for reparations.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in African-American
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On Tuesday, October 6, 2026, Reverend Robert Turner will embark on a 40-mile walk from Brunswick to the State House in Augusta. The trek serves as an advocacy effort for reparations, echoing the post-Civil War promise of 40 acres and a mule.
Why it matters
The walk highlights historical grievances in Maine, including the 1912 state-led eviction of Malaga Island residents. By covering 40 miles, Turner aims to draw public attention to the unfulfilled historical promise of land and resources for Black Americans.
The 40-mile trek marks Turner’s 9th state walk out of a planned 50-state tour. This journey coincides with the 185th anniversary of Maine's first Colored Convention.
The players
Rev. Robert Turner
He is the pastor of Empowerment Temple AME Church in Baltimore who leads national advocacy walks.
John Brown Russwurm
He was a historic figure who graduated from Bowdoin College in 1826.
Harriet Beecher Stowe
She was an influential author who wrote the abolitionist novel Uncle Tom's Cabin while living in Brunswick.
The details
Turner begins his walk at 5 a.m. at the corner of Maine and College Streets in Brunswick, moving through Topsham, Bowdoinham, Richmond, Gardiner, and Hallowell. His route honors figures like John Brown Russwurm, who graduated from Bowdoin College in 1826, and recognizes the history of Harriet Beecher Stowe, who penned Uncle Tom's Cabin in the region.
Timeline
1826: John Brown Russwurm graduates from Bowdoin College.
1912: Maine forcibly evicts the residents of Malaga Island.
October 6, 2026: Rev. Turner begins the walk at 5 a.m.
October 6, 2026: Rev. Turner is scheduled to finish at 5:30 p.m.
Culture Shift
This trek connects modern advocacy to the post-Civil War promise of 40 acres and a mule. It reflects a broader shift in how activists use physical endurance to bridge the gap between historical injustices and contemporary policy debates.
Residents in communities along the route from Brunswick to Augusta may experience temporary traffic adjustments during the morning and afternoon hours. The event serves as a platform for local residents to engage with historical discussions regarding Maine's civil rights record.
The takeaway
The walk encourages individuals to reflect on the specific history of racial displacement within their own states. By physically retracing these paths, activists seek to force a public reckoning with long-standing economic disparities.
Further reading
Learn more about the history of Black activists and leaders in the African-American section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Portland Press Herald.
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