​Kincardine recognizes Emancipation Month with flag-raising, Aug. 1

The Municipality of Kincardine is launching Emancipation Month with a flag-raising ceremony tomorrow afternoon (Thursday, Aug. 1).

A press release, issued Wednesday, states that the public is welcome to attend as Black Liberation flags are raised at the Kincardine Public Library at 12:30 p.m., and at the Davidson Centre at 1:30 p.m.

Canadians are not always aware that black people were once enslaved on the land that is now Canada, states the release. August is Emancipation Month, a time to acknowledge the horrific period of enslavement in the nation’s history while also acknowledging the rich contributions made by people of African descent.

March 24, 2021, members of Canadian parliament unanimously voted to designate Aug. 1 as Emancipation Day in Canada. This marks the actual day that the Slavery Abolition Act came into effect throughout the British Empire in 1834, ending more than 250 years of chattel slavery for millions of African people and their descendants in Canada and around the world.

Everyone is invited to join council members and staff at the flag-raisings to show the ongoing commitment to eliminate anti-black racism and discrimination of all forms. The flag is a reminder that despite the progress made, there is still a long road to equity.