The Black Ministers Alliance rang in the New Year with New Britain’s 2019 annual celebration of Emancipation Proclamation Day.
The January 1st Service celebrates the Emancipation Proclamation, which was issued 156 years ago by President Abraham Lincoln. The Proclamation freed millions of the people who had been held in slavery in states rebelling against the Unites States. Slavery was later abolished nationwide on December 6, 1865 by the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution.
Rev. Gervais Barger recounted the history and meaning of the Emancipation Proclamation. He then led an award presentation for retiring Police Chief James Wardwell.
Rev. Brian Riley spoke about the history of Ebenezer Don Carlos Bassett who was a leader for civil rights who worked with Frederick Douglass and the first African American Ambassador from the United States. Bassett was the first African American graduate of the school that would become CCSU.
Riley spoke about the important and historic work of the Civil Rights movement, and how it not only advanced greater equality for African Americans, but also inspired other movements, such as for women’s rights and LGBTQ rights.
Riley spoke about the need to continuing work for justice, pointing out the growing economic inequities in society and the continuing problem of mass incarceration.
About a hundred people attended the Service, held at the Peace Missionary Ministries at 90 Main Street.
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