2019 Emancipation Day Service Announced

The Black Ministers Alliance of New Britain has announced the 2019 New Britain Emancipation Proclamation Day Service.

The 2019 New Britain Service will feature the Rev. Brian K. Riley, Associate Minister at Spottswood A.M.E. Zion Church.

Police Chief James Wardwell, who recently announced his upcoming retirement, will be the honoree.

The ceremonies will be held on January 1, 2019, the 156th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation.

In the Emancipation Proclamation, President Abraham Lincoln, according the National Archives, during the Civil War, “declared ‘that all persons held as slaves’ within the rebellious states ‘are, and henceforward shall be free.'”

According to the National Archives,

After January 1, 1863, every advance of federal troops expanded the domain of freedom. Moreover, the Proclamation announced the acceptance of black men into the Union Army and Navy, enabling the liberated to become liberators. By the end of the war, almost 200,000 black soldiers and sailors had fought for the Union and freedom.

Slavery was later abolished nationwide on December 6, 1865 by the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution.

The 2019 Emancipation Declaration Day Service will also include the Installation Ceremony of the newly elected Officers and Executive Board members of the New Britain Branch of the NAACP.

The Service will be held at 1:00pm at the Peace Missionary Ministries at 90 Main Street.

The Black Ministers Alliance of New Britain says that its mission,

is to unite and mobilize African American pastors, ministers, and para-church ministries for prophetic ministry that results in liberating and empowering the larger community of New Britain, CT.