Calvary Baptist Church Choir, along with liturgical dancers, keyboard artists and drummers, led a lively celebration of Juneteenth Sunday afternoon in Haverhill’s GAR Park in downtown Haverhill.
The event, which drew about 100, began with a prayer, several choral selections and a dance performance. Kihm Lattimore, a worship assistant at the Haverhill church, served as the master of ceremonies.
Calvary Baptist Church Pastor the Rev. Kenneth Young gave a short history of Juneteenth, reminding those assembled the event, also called Freedom Day, marked the day in 1865 when those enslaved in Galveston, Texas, learned they had been freed two years earlier through President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.
“We know that America has a complex history. As we celebrate Juneteenth, we think about those who were enslaved in 1865 in Galveston, Texas, who were finally able to get the message of freedom that some still to this day feel that freedom is not as equal for some as it is for others,” Young said.
Young read portions of the Declaration of Independence and abolitionist and orator Frederick Douglass’ 1852 speech, “What, to the American Slave, is Your 4th of July?”
Haverhill Mayor Melinda E. Barrett welcomed the crowd.
“It’s great to be here to recognize Juneteenth, to recognize the community of Haverhill and your place in Haverhill as a great community driver. I appreciate you always and it’s so nice to be here among so many friends just to celebrate,” Barrett said.
Young noted it is the first time the church held a Juneteenth event in GAR park. It drew three food and craft vendors and a resource table. Besides Barrett, also attending was Ward 1 City Councilor Ralph. T. Basiliere and his wife, Whitney.