New Brunswickers celebrate first provincial Emancipation Day
Global News
Black Lives Matter New Brunswick executive director Matthew Martin said he knew it was only a matter of time before they could have a celebration for Emancipation Day.
More than 50 people showed up to mark New Brunswick’s first official Emancipation Day in Saint John.
On Aug. 1, 1834, the British Parliament outlawed the owning, buying and selling of humans as property throughout its colonies. The historic act freed about 800,000 enslaved people of African descent across the colonies.
The Canadian government proclaimed Aug. 1 as Emancipation Day after two unanimous votes by the House of Commons and the Senate in the spring of 2021.
New Brunswick observed it last year, and officially declared the day in June 2022.
Monday’s event at Saint John City Market was organized by Black Lives Matter New Brunswick. Executive director Matthew Martin said he knew it was only a matter of time before they could have a celebration like this.
“Looking at our history, we have to take small steps when acknowledging our past, and recognizing Emancipation Day is just another small step.”
Martin said there is still a lot of work to be done.
“The chains that used to confine my ancestors may have been removed, but they have been transformed into policies and procedures that put myself and our fellow Black community members at a disadvantage.”
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