Community stories and photos wanted for upcoming Emancipation Day celebration
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Windsor's Emancipation Celebration Committee, in collaboration with the City of Windsor, needs the public's help.
The committee seeks stories and photos highlighting Emancipation Day history in Windsor.
On March 24, 2021, the House of Commons voted unanimously to officially designate Aug. 1 as Emancipation Day.
On that day, 192 years ago, the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 came into effect across the British Empire.
Emancipation Day celebrates the strength and perseverance of Black communities in Canada.
Emancipation day
The Emancipation Committee of Windsor hopes for public input in building of a new monument in Jackson Park celebrating Emancipation Day. (Gary Archibald/CTV News Windsor)
Locally, the celebrations began with a large parade that started in Dieppe Gardens and made its way to Jackson Park, ending at the original bandstand. Approximately 250,000 spectators attended the event.
James Chacko is the executive director of Parks and Facilities at City of Windsor. Chacko is enthusiastic about the project and the public's opportunity to participate in the project.
'We've been working with the committee to identify an appropriate location within Jackson Park that would be within the footprint of where the original bandshell and grandstand was in Jackson Park,' said Chacko.
'It's a great location that now we're going to get the opportunity to hear all the great feedback from the community and all their stories that will help to guide and develop the actual monument.'
Joi Hurst is chair of the Emancipation Celebration Monument Committee. Hurst is grateful for the support of the community and Windsor's City Hall.
Emancipation day
The Emancipation Committee of Windsor hopes for public input in building of a new monument in Jackson Park celebrating Emancipation Day. (Gary Archibald/CTV News Windsor)
'The City [of Windsor] has been amazing,' said Hurst.
'They came on board, and it has been so exciting, and it hasn't stopped. We want to thank them for that support.'
If you have stories or photos, email them to windsoremancipationmonument@gmail.com between Aug. 1 and Oct. 1. The committee plans to incorporate these stories and images as part of the overall design process for this project.
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