The Emancipation Day Coalition invites the community to the annual Emancipation Day observance Thursday, at the Emancipation Garden on St. Thomas. A free community-organized event, scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. and end at 4 p.m., attendees can expect informative remarks, poetry, songs, live steelpan music, DJ music, Bamboula dancers and drummers, crafts, food on sale, and much more.
In light of the various current challenges facing the world, the community is invited to gather and encourage one another, as gatherings don’t occur regularly enough. The organizers ask not only that attendees watch and listen, but also to participate and engage directly with the program and other attendees, sharing whatever talent or message that relates to the program.
Held annually, the organizers have themed this year’s event around the concept of moving from the physical emancipation of 1848, encouraging attendance to foster ongoing cultural unity toward self-determination and mental emancipation.
“Our ancestors did their part in 1848 by abolishing chattel slavery. They passed the baton for us to continue the struggle, so we have to move from the state of national emancipation to National Liberation to self-determination,” said Leba OlaNiyi, event organizer.
For more information or to be included in the program, contact 340-998-1792.
