VIDEO: https://bit.ly/JuneteenthBPT
Mayor Joseph P. Ganim
Bridgeport, CT
For Immediate Release
June 19, 2020
MAYOR GANIM, CITY OF BRIDGEPORT JUNETEENTH EVENTS UNVEIL CELEBRATORY BANNER, FEATURES LOCAL BLACK YOUTH TALENT DURING FACEBOOK EVENT
Bridgeport, CT - Mayor Ganim joined Deborah Caviness; President of Juneteenth of Fairfield County, Cynthia Griffin; Juneteenth of Fairfield County co-founder, Captain Blackwell; former Grand Marshal, CAO Janene Hawkins, and community members to celebrate Juneteenth in Downtown Bridgeport on June 19th, 2020 at the corner of McLevy Green as the city unveiled it’s first “Juneteenth” Banner across State Street. Remarks on the significance of Juneteenth were complemented by closing the ceremony in song with the Negro National Anthem.
Mayor Ganim stated, “As your Mayor, it’s important that we acknowledge that the mistreatment and degradation, brutality, and disrespect of African Americans will never be tolerated. As we reflect how far we’ve come as a country, we also reflect on how far we have to go.”
Later in the day, at 12:30pm, Mayor Ganim broadcasted song, dance, and poetry performed by Bridgeport young artists which included: song and poem by Imani Tyson, song by Jamir Smith aka Yung Smitty, song by Mariah Lyttle, and the performance of the Negro National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” by Phadette McRae. This virtual presentation was a collaboration with Deborah Caviness, President of Juneteenth of Fairfield County to showcase the many artistic talents of individuals and young people in our community.
CAO Janene Hawkins stated, “This landmark day serves us well to understand that, together, we can overcome all obstacles in our path. This year is different in our celebration of this landmark day, not only because our fight against COVID-19, but the fight for respect and the fair treatment of African Americans with the Black Lives Matter movement.”