This Sunday is Emancipation Day, a time for western countries to recognize the end of slavery and its impact on communities and people living today.
The Town of Yarmouth and Tri-County Regional Centre for Education will be holding their first ever celebration of Emancipation Day, Deputy Mayor Steve Berry says its important to highlight history.
“African Nova Scotians have a strong root in our community and its nice to be able to bring light to the struggles,” says Berry. “Also its really nice that the town and the centre of education were able to partner on this one, come together and show the importance of it as well.”
The celebration starts at noon at Yarmouth Elementary School.
There will be greetings from members of the African Nova Scotia community, Acadia First Nation, youth and the Town. After the greetings, there will music, door prizes, and a barbeque.
The event is also a call to action to people who have the power and privilege to stand against racism.
Berry says the call to action takes many forms.
“Some people like to be out-right and speak, some people do it more quietly on their own time. But I think the most important thing is that we come together to acknowledge our mistakes of the past and do what we can moving forward so we don’t make those mistakes again.”
