EV RETEVT V E ER T Vol. 35, No.25 -FREET www.advocatenews.net Your Local News & Sports Online! Scan & Subscribe! ADDOCCO TEAT Free Every Friday City Council Approves Limits on Data Centers in Innovation District 617-387-2200 Friday, June 26, 2026 City of Everett hosts annual Juneteenth Celebration Community gathers at Baldwin Park to honor freedom, history and the ongoing pursuit of equality WELCOME ABOARD: The city clerk sworn in new police offi cers on Monday evening; pictured from left to right: Kristopher Buck, Scott Fitzmeyer, Nicole Flores, Joseph Granara, Shawn McCormack and Gustavo Romero. (Advocate photo) By Neil Zolot T he City Council passed the Second Reading or Ordainment of amendments to zoning codes for the Docklands lnnovation District (EDlD) in the Commercial Triangle bordered by Lower Broadway, Revere Beach Parkway and the Mystic River, to limit the size of data centers, at their meeting CITY COUNCIL | SEE PAGE 6 F. J. LaRovere Insurance Agency, Inc. 492 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 617-387-9700 phone 617-387-9702 fax INSURANCE FOR AUTO, HOME, AND BUSINESS We offer very competitive rates, and by representing many different companies we can shop for the best price for our customers. Call us today! Open Monday – Friday 9am-5pm and Saturdays 9am-12pm Messinger Insurance Agency 475 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 617-387-2700 phone 617-387-7753 fax Mayor Robert J. Van Campen is pictured with community members at Baldwin Park for Everett’s annual Juneteenth Celebration last Friday. (Courtesy City of Everett) Special to Th e Advocate O n June 19, 2026, Everett residents, community leaders, elected offi cials and visitors gathered at Baldwin Park for the City of Everett’s annual Juneteenth Celebration, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States and honoring the history, resilience and contributions of Black Americans. Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865, the day enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom more than two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. The celebration featured an evening of music, food, family-friendly activities and a speaking program centered on this year’s theme, Oh Freedom. “Juneteenth is a powerful reminder of both how far our country has come and the work that still lies ahead,” said Mayor Robert J. Van Campen. “Today, we celebrate the achievements, culture, and contributions of the Black community while reaffi rming our commitment to building a more equitable and inclusive society for all.” Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley joined residents in Baldwin Park as the event’s featured speaker, off ering remarks on the meaning of Juneteenth and its place in the American story. “Juneteenth is a commemoration of a sacred day in our ancestors’ fi ght for our freedom, a celebration of Black joy, Black progress, and Black power, and a call to action to carry the torch of the fi ght for liberation,” said Rep. Pressley. “Everett’s fi fth-annual Juneteenth Celebration this weekend was an opportunity to honor exactly that. I’m grateful to Mayor Van Campen, Cathy L. Draine, and the City of Everett for putting together such an incredible event and an opportunity to rejoice with community.” The speaking program was emceed by Cathy Draine of the City’s Department of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Bishop Robert Brown delivered the opening prayer and off ered remarks refl ecting on CELEBRATION | SEE PAGE 9
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