Groton celebrates Juneteenth

Sarah Gordon, The Day, New London, Conn.
·1 min read

Jun. 20—GROTON — A crowd gathered in the parking lot of Groton Town Hall for a Juneteenth Recognition celebration on Tuesday, June 20, 2023.

"We acknowledge the progress still to be made," commented Town of Groton Mayor Juan Melendez during his opening remarks.

A number of other dignitaries spoke during the event including Minister Bobbie Braboy, Dr. Nakia Hamlett, interim dean of institutional equity and inclusion and director of faculty equity, inclusion, and belonging at Connecticut College, Groton Town Councilor Portia Bordelon, Sandra Laub from the League of Women Voters and New London NAACP President Tamara Lanier. Musician Big Lux, also known as Westerly Town Councilor Kevin J. Lowther II, performed as did members of the Silver Dolphins Honor Guard from the Naval Submarine School who helped raise the flag.

In 2022 the Town Council unanimously approved a resolution to recognize Juneteenth on or near June 19 annually. Now a federal holiday, Juneteenth honors the end of slavery in the United States and the announcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Galveston, Texas, over two years after it was issued.