New Rochelle Honors Juneteenth With Flag-Raising Ceremony

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The City of New Rochelle celebrated Juneteenth with a flag-raising at city hall Friday. This inaugural ceremony was the suggestion of Briana Hill-Behar, a New Rochelle High School Student, class of 2021, who submitted a request to Mayor Noam Bramson last week.

Bramson noted that despite the city’s size, diversity and inclusion, and heritage of black leadership, there were gaps in experience and perspective.

“As our nation focuses intently on issues of racial equality, I hope that this morning’s flag-raising can serve not only to look back on an event of great historical significance, but, even more, as a symbol of our forward-looking commitment to a just and inclusive society,” he said.

Councilwoman Yadira Ramos-Herbert spoke about the symbolism of the flag’s elements of star, nova, and arc, as well as the red, white and blue colors.

“Now we are acknowledging that African-American history is American history, and should be celebrated on equal and level playing fields,” she said. “It’s not a separate day, not something we just celebrate in churches or in our backyards; this is our history and our culture, and we can celebrate the joys and pains of what that means.”

Watch the ceremony below.

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