Page 10 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2022 First annual Juneteenth Freedom Day celebrates emancipation of enslaved African Americans Music from Ghana was performed on drums. The Juneteenth fl ag waved in the wind under the American fl ag. By Tara Vocino C District Attorney Kevin Hayden said that, as a black man, it’s a proud weekend celebration of Juneteenth and Father’s Day. The event host, Revere’s Chief Offi - cer of Talent and Culture, Dr. Maritsa Barros, is happy that Juneteenth is now a federal holiday. Vanessa Kazadi, owner of Beraka Juice, said she is proud to be black. ommunity members celebrated the fi rst annual Juneteenth Freedom Day on Saturday outside of City Hall. President Joseph Biden recently signed the bill into law to make Juneteenth a federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Mayor Brian Arrigo said the word freedom today means more now than ever. Councillor-at-Large Steven Morabito spoke on the heartbreak that was slavery. Eduardo Moreno Mendez, who is Chief of Staff in the Office of State Senator Lydia Edwards, spoke on behalf of the senator. State Rep. Jeff Turco said Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. asked people to judge others by their character, not the color of their skin. DPW employees Steven Penta and Christopher Fabiano raised the Juneteenth fl ag. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) Shown from left to right: event organizers Asmaa Abou-Fouda, Rhea Heaven, Mayor Brian Arrigo, emcee Chief Offi cer of Talent and Culture Dr. Maritsa Barros, Revere Public Library Director Diana Luongo, Department of Public Works staff Steven Penta and Christopher Fabiano, Tourism Director Charles Giuff rida and his son, Ray Giuff rida, during Saturday’s inaugural Juneteenth celebration outside of City Hall.
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