June 13, 2023
For Immediate Release
Contact: Bobbye Knoll Peterson, 860-638-4801

FIRST ANNUAL JUNETEENTH FLAG RAISING AT CITY HALL
 Friday, June 16th at 12 pm 

Middletown, CT – In honor of the significance of Juneteenth and in recognition of the Federal Holiday, the City of Middletown will raise the Juneteenth Flag at City Hall on June 16th at noon. The flag will fly over City Hall for one week.  Mayor Florsheim would like to extend his thanks to the dedicated group of City of Middletown staff who spearheaded the effort to have a Juneteenth flag raising at City Hall. Of the historic first raising of the Juneteenth flag Mayor Florsheim said “The Juneteenth Flag will be flown over the City of Middletown not only because it is the right thing to do, but because our staff came together to organize this flag raising. This is for the City by City of Middletown workers, and I am proud that it reflects the ongoing commitment by our community to recognize the historical legacy of slavery in the United States and the importance of the Juneteenth holiday as a celebration of liberation, emancipation, and self-determination for all people.” 

Cayla Jones, HR Specialist, and one of the staff organizers of Friday’s flag raising noted the importance of the first annual Juneteenth flag raising to black and brown staff at City Hall “To know that the Juneteenth flag will be raised at City Hall is to know that all people, including people of color, are recognized and respected here and it also creates an opportunity to teach and talk about the significance of the Juneteenth holiday. While I have only been here for a year and a half, I know that many of my black colleagues have waited years for this moment.”

In addition to raising the flag the Mayor will also present the annual Juneteenth proclamation. Please feel free to join us at the City Hall flagpole at 12 pm for the presentation and flag raising.