August 1, 2025 is Emancipation Day - officially proclaimed by Deputy Mayor Davidson on behalf of Mayor Small at this morning's ceremony. Tammy Gero - Vice Chair of the Board of CANSA - was then welcomed to the podium to speak about this day's significance.
To conclude this portion of today's ceremonies, everyone gathered around and the Pan-African Flag was raised.
Deputy Mayor Davidson and Tammy Gero were joined by community members and other elected officials to raise the Pan-African flag, in recognition of Emancipation Day.
This red, black and green flag is a representation of the unity and liberation of people all around the world of African descent. Red represents blood shared by people of African ancestry. Black is a symbol of the people themselves. And, green signifies Africa's abundant natural wealth.
Next, we re-grouped beside Town Hall in memorial park for the unveiling of a very special addition: a commemorative storyboard about the history of the No. 2 Construction Battalion.
Deputy Mayor Davidson spoke about the amazing contributions this group of men - many from Amherst - made during World War I, and how this storyboard project came to be.
Tammy Gero and Jeremiah Martin - both direct descendants of members of the No. 2 Construction Battalion - had the honour of conducting the unveiling.
Tammy Gero and Jeremiah Martin - both direct descendants of members of the No. 2 Construction Battalion - joined by Deputy Mayor Hal Davidson, having just unveiled the new storyboard accompanying the No. 2 Construction Battalion monument in Amherst's memorial park.
We are proud to have this permanent display now installed in memorial park beside the No. 2 Construction Battalion monument, to help share this important piece of our history with locals and visitors alike.
For more photos from today's events, please visit our Facebook page.
