Ceremony held in Brampton to recognize the United International Youth Day and the Commemoration of Emancipation Month

BY PAUL JUNOR

Friday, August 12^th, 2022, was truly a special day in the history of Brampton. A special ceremony was held at Brampton City Hall in recognition of the United Nations International Youth Day and the commemoration of August as Emancipation Month.

The Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) founded by Marcus Garvey had its flag raised to coincide with the 102^nd anniversary. There were several well-known community advocates, dignitaries as well as Brampton city officials present.

This is a monumental accomplishment as it is of symbolic significance due to the fact that African Canadians have overcome great hurdles and achieved positive success.

On July 8^th, 2022, Brampton City Council passed the motion to change the name of Dixie 407 Sports to Emancipation Park. It proclaimed August 1^st as Emancipation Day and August as Emancipation Month. Dewitt Lee, community activist and co-founder of the organization “Emancipation Month” states, “We are proud to be hosting the first-ever Emancipation Day in Canada’s only Emancipation Park, and just one of a few in North America. This is a very special space for healing, community, and fellowship.”

MPP Charmaine Williams released a statement that reads, “As the first Black woman elected to city council in the history of Brampton, I was proud to move the motion to create a recognition of Emancipation in October of 2019. The recent events that have elevated our understanding of anti-Black racism could not have been foreseen when I brought this initiative forward.”

Patrick Brown, Mayor of Brampton states, “Here in Brampton, honouring Emancipation Month and naming a city park Emancipation Park is a powerful way for us to acknowledge the past and reiterate that we stand with Brampton’s Black community.”

Gwyn Chapman, Senior Advisor to the City of Brampton on behalf of the Black community states, “Honouring Emancipation Month and renaming a part of Brampton Emancipation Park are significant steps forward for Brampton. It is important for people to know that we had slavery in Canada. Movements like the park renaming give me confidence that we will make immense progress in Brampton.”

On Monday, August 1^st, the City of Brampton held a Caribbean Festival, which attracted hundreds from the African and Canadian communities as well as the wider Canadian communities. In addition to commemorating Emancipation Day, there were performances by Anasai storyteller Gail Miller, and the Pan Fantasy Steelband as well as carnival costumes showcased by the Freedom Mas Band, the only Jamaican band in the annual Toronto Caribbean Festival on Saturday, July 31^st, 2022.