To mark the beginning of Emancipation Month 2023, the City of Toronto will host an in-person, flag-raising ceremony and community gathering.
Date: Tuesday, August 1
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Location: Courtesy flagpole, Podium Roof, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen St. W.
The ceremony will include raising the Black Liberation flag, remarks from City staff and Black community leaders and a performance from saxophonist Rudy Ray.
The Black Liberation flag will also be raised at the Scarborough, Etobicoke, East York and York Civic Centres on August 1. The Toronto Sign will be illuminated in the Pan-African colours of red, black and green.
A special flag-raising will also take place at Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge St., on Friday, August 4, from 1:30 to 2 p.m., led by Dr. Julius W. Garvey, whose father, Marcus Garvey, designed and popularized the Black Liberation flag.
More information about these events is available on the City’s Confronting Anti-Black Racism webpage: www.toronto.ca/community-people/get-involved/community/confronting-anti-black-racism/emancipation-month/.
In recognition of the struggle for human rights and the rich contributions made by people of African descent, the City has proclaimed Emancipation Month in August since 2019. Toronto also has proclaimed Emancipation Day for decades and the International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024) annually since March 2019.
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Media contact: Media Relations, media@toronto.ca