Swampscott Issues Black History Year Proclamation

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — Swampscott municipal leaders, public safety officials and residents have come together to issue a town proclamation declaring "February 2021 as Black History Month and Black History Year in Swampscott."

"(We) urge all our citizens to celebrate our diverse heritage and culture and continue our efforts to create a world that is more just, peaceful and prosperous for all," the proclamation said.

Residents can sign their names on the proclamation here.

The proclamation states: "While the observance of Black History Month calls our town's attention to the continued need to battle racism and to build a society that lives up to its democratic ideals, this year's celebrations and recognition of Black History Month are especially significant as we reflect on the historic challenges facing our community and our nation at this time."

The town vows to create a greater understanding and implement changes to ensure that racism and the unjust treatment of any person is not tolerated in any way or form within the town of Swampscott.

It also acknowledges "it remains a shocking failure that many Black peoples, especially young Black men and women, are unfairly harassed and threatened and unjustly treated in our own community and country."

The full proclamation can be found here.

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)