Join the City of Somerville’s Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony and Frederick Douglass Reading

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the Somerville Department of Racial and Social Justice (RSJ)  invite the Somerville community to attend the City’s annual Juneteenth flag-raising event at the Somerville City Hall Concourse (93 Highland Ave) from 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18.

Alongside the flag-raising, artists from The Art of Black Dance & Music will lead an African Drumming performance and share a photo display on the history of their organization. Somerville youth, local leaders, and activists will also deliver remarks commemorating this important holiday.

RSJ is also partnering with the Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS), Bow Market, and the Somerville Museum to host the annual reading of Frederick Douglass’ famous address, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” The reading and discussion will take place on Thursday, June 27 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. upstairs at Bow Market (1 Bow Mkt Wy). Doors will open at 5:15 p.m. Interested community members are encouraged to RSVP online as space at the venue is limited. 
 

Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings, should contact the City’s ADA Coordinator, Adrienne Pomeroy, at 617-625-6600 x2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov

The City of Somerville can provide you with an interpreter in your language for free. To request an interpreter, please contact us at somerviva@somervillema.gov or call 311 (617-666-3311) at least 7 days in advance of this event.

This event will be videotaped by the City’s GovTV team. Watch it on-demand with optional closed-captioning (select the CC icon) on YouTube.com/SomervilleCityTV. Or watch on cable TV at GovTV Comcast Ch. 22 and GovTV Astound (RCN) Ch. 13 & 613.  Videos generally post within one business day of recording.