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Celebrating Freedom, Continuing the Fight

Wed, 06/17/2020 - 12:23
Durell Godfrey

Two more events this week will continue discussions of the civil rights narrative on the East End, a Juneteenth celebration in Southampton and a Black Lives Matter protest in Montauk. 

Friday morning at Agawam Park in Southampton the community will celebrate Juneteenth, which commemorates the day that the last enslaved African-Americans were freed in Texas in 1865, and which is also sometimes called Freedom Day or Jubilee Day. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Wednesday planned to sign an executive order "recognizing Juneteenth as a holiday for state employees," and said he would "advance legislation to make it an official state holiday next year."

The Agawam Park event will take place at 10 a.m. and will feature multiple speakers and refreshments. "Wear a mask, practice social distancing, bring lawn chairs," the announcement reads.

Also Friday, in Montauk, a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest and march is being organized by East End Against Hate, a group of local high school and college students. It is from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Hank Zebrowski Memorial Soccer Field on South Erie Street. "Masks are mandatory," the announcement says, adding that food and drinks will be provided.

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