As of early 2026, the Bethesda African Cemetery Coalition (BACC) has achieved historic legal and legislative victories in their fight to protect the historic Moses African Cemetery in Bethesda, Maryland.

Key developments and victories regarding BACC’s efforts include:

LITIGATION

  • On August 30, 2024, the Supreme Court of Maryland issued a landmark ruling in Bethesda African Cemetery Coalition v. Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County. The court found that the site, currently part of the Westwood Tower Apartments, is likely a burial place for formerly enslaved persons.

  • The Supreme Court remanded the case back to the Circuit Court, allowing BACC to amend their complaint to seek equitable relief against the desecration of the remains, effectively keeping the legal battle to protect the site alive.

  • As of March 2026, BACC continues to defeat motions to dismiss their amended complaints, with the Circuit Court siding with them on the need for equitable relief against the Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC). 

  • to protect vulnerable and Black cemeteries, S233 - [March 2026]

The BACC’s goal is to prevent the sale of the land, remove the parking lot built over the cemetery, and turn the land into a memorial/museum to honor the over 200 people buried there. 

Group of people holding fists up in victory outside of South Tower Courtroom 5I.

ATTORNEYS FOR BACC