On June 19, Mayor W. Reed Gusciora officially recognized the historic day as “Juneteenth Independence Day” in the City of Trenton. The Mayor read a proclamation and unveiled a banner outside the steps of City Hall, located at 319 E. State St. in Trenton, N.J. The day was also declared a holiday for the City of Trenton.
A fervent prayer led by Trenton Deliverance Center Senior Pastor Mark Broach set the tone, followed by heartfelt remarks from Sprout U School of the Arts Director Danielle Miller Winrow and Trenton history teacher and community activist Jocelyn White.
“Juneteenth marks the 155th anniversary of the date when enslaved people in Texas finally received word that President Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation more than two and a half years earlier,” said Mayor Gusciora. “Reflecting on key moments in our country’s history of racism and discrimination empowers us to work together toward systemic change and equality.”
To honor the important occasion, the Mayor announced plans to preserve important historic sites around the city, including Locust Hill Cemetery, the Carver Center, and the Y.W.C.A.
Locust Hill Cemetery, the city’s largest and only remaining segregated burial ground, will receive a plaque and additional renovations to beautify the property. The city is also
preserving the Carver Center through restorations made from federal grant dollars. Finally, the historic Y.W.C.A will get a much-needed facelift to improve options for future use.
