Page 13 - Florida Sentinel 8-21-20

FLORIDA SENTINEL FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2020
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Juneteenth Flag Raised Over Old City Hall
Mayor Jane Castor and members of the Tampa Bay Juneteenth Coalition, featuring the Tampa Chapter of Buffalo Soldiers gathered for a historic Juneteenth flag raising ceremony at Old City Hall. The City hoisted the flag for the first time during a ceremony in the brick courtyard near Old City Hall on August 4th.
Juneteenth is recognized annually on June 19
across the nation. Due to the impact of COVID-19 in our community, the Tampa Bay Juneteenth Coalition worked with the City to hoist the flag at the later date of August 4 to align with the organization’s annual Juneteenth play.
This year’s play, titled “I Ain’t Gonna Let No- body Turn Me Around: The Family Tree Stage Play,” was held at The Center for Manifestation on
August 8th.
The month of August is great timing for
the Juneteenth Flag raising celebration as it was during this same month in 1963 that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous "I Have A Dream" speech during the March on Washington when he called for jobs, freedom, civil and eco- nomic rights and an end to racism in America.
The Juneteenth flag flies next to the American flag.
Ms. Juneteenth first runner-up, Kyla Walden with Mayor Castor.
The 2020 “Miss Juneteenth,” Helena Chambers, is shown with Mayor Castor.
Pastor Philetha Tucker-Johnson, President of the Tampa Bay Juneteenth Coalition, right, is shown with Ms. Robin Lockett of Organize Florida, Tampa Chapter.
Members of the Buffalo Soldiers were there to support the event.