BOSTON, Massachusetts / MONROVIA, Liberia — June 2026 — As Americans commemorate the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding and celebrate Juneteenth—the holiday marking the end of legalized slavery in the United States—Rev. Torrli H. Krua has crossed the Atlantic with a message he believes carries profound historical significance.
Standing before audiences in Liberia following the passing of former Massachusetts State Representative Benjamin “Ben” Swan, Krua declared, “Freedom has arrived in Liberia.”
According to Krua, the journey celebrates not only the life of a longtime friend of Liberia but also the beginning of what supporters hope will become a new chapter of reconciliation between Americans divided by constitutional contradictions and racial exclusions of the 1790 Nationality Act limiting U.S. citizenship to “free White persons”.
Representative Swan, remembered by Liberian organizations as one of their strongest American allies, spent decades advocating for Liberian refugees and repairing the constitutional contradictions and racial divisions. Supporters say his vision extended beyond immigration policy to what he viewed as historical reciprocity between the two nations.
One of Swan’s final legacies was the creation of the Krua and Freeman Human Dignity Awards, established while serving as President of the Universal Human Rights International (UHRI). Before his passing, Swan personally signed the inaugural awards, leaving what supporters describe as a permanent legacy honoring individuals and institutions advancing human dignity, reconciliation, equality, and national unity.
The inaugural awards were presented during a memorial luncheon at the Massachusetts State House hosted by Rev. Krua and the Free Liberia Movement and sponsored by the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus.
Recipients included Massachusetts Representative Bud L. Williams, Chairman of the Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights and Inclusion; Lawrence Paye, former Executive Director of Universal Human Rights International; Twelfth Baptist Church; and Eastern Bank.
Organizers said the annual awards are intended to inspire ordinary citizens to become builders of unity through service, courage, innovation, and reconciliation. The awards honor the legacy of Elizabeth “Mumbet” Freeman, whose successful legal challenge helped end slavery in Massachusetts, and Amanda Tussie Makor, a young Liberian recognized by organizers for her commitment to human dignity.
Beyond the awards, supporters say Swan’s most ambitious legacy is a proposed federal bill modeled, in principle, on the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924. According to the Free Liberia Movement, the proposal would restore U.S. citizenship to all persons born in Liberia as an act of historical reciprocity and as a measure intended to address the legacy of the Naturalization Act of 1790, which restricted naturalization to “free White persons.”
Supporters contend that the proposal recognizes Liberia’s unique historical relationship with the United States and seeks to acknowledge the impact that early American nationality laws had on African American citizens who were coerced into removal and colonization in Liberia. The proposal has been promoted to members of Congress but has not been introduced or enacted as federal law.
Krua argues that the proposal carries special significance as America celebrates 250 years of independence.
“While America celebrates liberty,” Krua said, “the unfinished work of equality remains visible.”
He pointed to the current U.S. Visa Waiver Program, noting that it includes citizens from dozens of participating countries, while no African country currently participates. Krua argues that Liberia deserves special consideration because of its historic relationship with the United States. This is an advocacy position advanced by the Free Liberia Movement rather than current U.S. policy.
For Krua, the issue is not simply immigration.
“It is about reconciliation,” he said.
Drawing parallels between Juneteenth and Liberia’s history, Krua said Juneteenth reminds Americans that freedom delayed eventually arrived for enslaved African Americans, while Liberia’s history illustrates another unfinished chapter in the broader struggle for equality and belonging.
He called upon churches, missionaries, humanitarian organizations, and civil society leaders to become active partners in healing racial divisions that continue to affect relationships between Africa and the United States.
Krua also challenged evangelical missionary organizations and international aid agencies working in Liberia to examine their own institutional histories. He argued that many organizations have not adequately diversified their leadership or missionary personnel and called for broader participation by Africans and people of color in leadership and decision-making. These criticisms reflect Krua’s views and he urges media outlets to independently verified findings about Liberia’s missionary or aid organizations an their colonial and post colonial policies to promote reconciliation.
“The Gospel calls us to reconciliation,” Krua said. “The Church should lead the world in demonstrating equality—not follow behind it.”
He invited religious leaders from every denomination and faith tradition in Liberia to call on their American religious partners in supporting reconciliation initiatives, including the proposed U.S. citizenship legislation inspired by Representative Swan’s vision.
For supporters, Swan’s legacy is measured not only by legislation he championed but by the values he sought to advance: human dignity, equal justice, reconciliation, and unity.
As Rev. Krua concluded the memorial, he quoted the biblical proverb that has become the movement’s guiding theme:
“Righteousness exalts a nation.”
He then echoed a familiar American ideal:
“United we stand. Divided we fall.”
