11/18/2023 0 Comments Fitchburg sentinel andMWCC ALANA/Diversity Club President Destiny Loabe, whom Thibault-Munoz called “one of the most promising activists” when introducing her, said it was “refreshing to see so many people of color” at the event. Jonathan Harvey sang the national anthem and other selections including “We Shall Overcome” at the Juneteenth commemoration on Saturday at Fitchburg Abolitionist Park. Thibault-Munoz said that “during the 246 years slavery was legal” and since then “the work of Black activists has been ignored and sometimes violently oppressed.” He went on to call the abolitionists, both past and present, “Black and white, North and South, the greatest patriots.” Fitchburg State University choirs members led by Assistant Professor of Music Dr. and Black Liberation flags followed by the member of the FSU choirs led by Assistant Professor of Music Jonathan Harvey singing the national anthem. Members of Boy Scouts Troop 41 helped raise the U.S. Ruby Hall, who is on the board of Friends of Fitchburg Abolitionist Park and Three Pyramids, “the oldest Black organization in Fitchburg” and one of many community park supporters, said “praise the Lord for this beautiful day.” Fellow Three Pyramids board member Krista Rhodes spoke about the organization’s founder, Adrian Ford, a tireless civil rights activist who passed away in January last year. Descendants of Charles and Harriet Treadwell, the first known Black Fitchburg residents, were front and center for the Fitchburg Abolitionist Park phase 2 ribbon cutting during the Juneteenth program held at the park on Saturday. The completion of the three-phase park is anticipated to be accomplished by Juneteenth next year. He acknowledged several descendants of Charles and Harriet Treadwell, the first known Black city residents documented in the 1820s, who attended the ceremony. The idea for the park project was hatched by him and his students, Fitchburg State University “who graciously donated the land,” NewVue Communities “our financial partner,” and others. Park founder and co-event organizer David Thibault-Munoz acknowledged the numerous community partners who have supported the park project, including Mount Wachusett Community College, where he teaches. “Fight the good fight of faith … we gather together today singing the song that the dark fight has taught us.” Abolitionist Park is just down the road from First Church of God in Christ where he is the pastor. during the invocation he gave at the Snow Street park. “We’ve come a long way, but we’ve got a long ways to go,” said Bishop Bryant Robertson Jr. “We’ve come a long way, but we’ve got a long ways to go.” (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE) First Church of God in Christ Pastor Bishop Bryant Robertson, Jr gave the invocation at the Juneteenth commemoration held on Saturday at Fitchburg Abolitionist Park. FITCHBURG - Juneteenth was commemorated in the city Saturday with a multifaceted program that attracted hundreds of people and a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the completion of phase 2 of the Abolitionist Park.
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