…..and the Jamaica Flag flew high in Emancipation Square “Augus Mawnin”, Tuesday August 01, 2017
There was a substantial gathering in Emancipation Square in the wee hours of the morning Emancipation Day, Tuesday, August 01, 2017 and the Jamaica flag flew high in the fresh morning breeze when it was hoisted at 6:00 a.m. This was in keeping with the St. Catherine Municipal Corporation/JCDC hosted Emancipation Day Flag Raising Ceremony in a celebration of emancipation.
For the first time the function had a little twist to it. A team led by Custos and Mrs. McKenzie marched from Phillippo Baptist Church on William Street, Spanish Town to gather in Emancipation Square for the reading of the proclamation which was read in 1834
The official function commenced at 5:30 a.m. and was moderated by immediate past Chairman of the Joint Civic Affairs Committee Mr. Robert Allen, J.P.
Among those who came out to commemorate this momentous period in our nation’s history were Custos and Mrs. McKenzie. The other attendees were from the Joint Civic Affairs Committee, Groups and the Phillipo Baptist Church.
The opening prayer and Sermonette was conducted by Reverend Carl Dyer of the Assemblies of the First Born Church. In his discourse he said in dealing with the monster of crime and violence, we must reflect on the book of Micah and do justly. In doing justly we must do what God says. He said one of the problems in Jamaica is the domino effect of crime and violence, for that reason we have many angry and bitter people. He implored us as a community and as a nation we must think positively and have hope in spite of everything that is happening because God will never leave nor forsake us.
“Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds”….BOB MARLEY
Emancipation Day was re-instituted in 1997 by then Prime Minister PJ Patterson as a national holiday celebrated on August 1.
August 1, 1834, marked the emancipation of all slaves in British colonies but it was a case of freedom with conditions. Although the Abolition Act stated that slavery shall be and is hereby utterly abolished and unlawful, the only slaves truly freed were those not yet born and those under six years of age.