How did the abolitionist respond to the slave codes?

Answer 1

Actually, black freedmen were a crucial part of the antislavery movement. Sojourner Truth and Frederick Douglass were only two of the many blacks who spoke all around the country about slavery. They attracted large crowds and electrified their audiences, and gained supporters for the New England Antislavery Society. Frederick Douglass also published the "North Star" a newspaper for black readers.

Answer 2

Well, the abolitionists started Antislavery organizations and societies. They also went about speaking against slavery. Some abolitionists, like John Brown took it to the extremes by raiding and attacking families that had slaves.