Prayer And Reflection As Stratford Observes Juneteenth

STRATFORD, CT — Calls for prayer, reflection and action were heard Friday on the steps of Stratford Town Hall, where a crowd of about 100 gathered to observe Juneteenth.

The holiday recognizes the end of slavery in the United States, and how on June 19, 1865, a Union general read federal orders in Galveston, Texas — the most remote part of the former Confederacy — stating previously enslaved people were free. This year, Juneteenth came less than a month after the death of George Floyd in the custody of Minneapolis police and the ensuing wave of nationwide protests against racism and police brutality.

“What if your child reached for their driver’s license and never returned?” said Deborah Caviness, coordinator for Juneteenth of Fairfield County. “… That’s something that everyone should think about today.”

Fairfield County is typically home to the largest regional Juneteenth celebration and parade in Connecticut, but the Bridgeport event was canceled this year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. However, Juneteenth of Fairfield County still recruited 50 marshals charged with educating their communities about the history of the holiday and participating in service projects such as voter registration and census outreach, coronavirus testing efforts and food drives.

Among the marshals for 2020 are René Gibson, who is the organizer of Stratford, CT, South End Day, and Stratford Councilman David Harden, D-District 4. Both were recognized Friday by Stratford Mayor Laura Hoydick. The mayor also issued a proclamation in observance of Juneteenth and encouraged residents to educate themselves about African American history in Stratford and across the country.

Caviness urged those in attendance to support black businesses and commended Hoydick and Police Chief Joseph McNeil for Stratford’s Calm, Cool & Comply initiative to prepare community members for potential interactions with law enforcement.

Apostle Kevin Newton of A Greater Works Ministries in Bridgeport gave the invocation and benediction at Friday's ceremony.