Pride Flag Officially Raised at County Administration Building
On May 31, County Council Chair Jolene Ivey opened a press conference to raise the Pride Flag at the Wayne Curry Administration building to commemorate the start of Pride Month. She was joined by several LGBTQ politicians including County Councilmember Krystal Oriadha (D- District 8), New Carrollton Councilmember Briana Urbina, and Delegate Ashanti Martinez (D- District 22).
鈥淲e have representation from all levels of government, from the municipalities on up,鈥 said Councilmember Oriadha, just before she . She is the first LGBTQ+ Councilmember in the County Council鈥檚 nearly 60 year history.
鈥淭his shows that we are united in this, in saying that Prince George鈥檚 is home for everyone. Today we are saying that our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters in PG County are welcomed and safe here,鈥 Oriadha said.
The Councilmember also noted that as small as a flag raising may seem, it can mean the world to those who feel isolated.
State鈥檚 Attorney Aisha Braveboy also attended the ceremony to show her support. She also noted the efforts that her office undertook to prosecute the murder of two transgender women, and she gave a proclamation at the flag raising.
鈥淚 wanted to make sure that the justice system applied to them, and that they could seek justice through our State鈥檚 Attorney office as victims or witnesses of crimes,鈥 said Braveboy. 鈥淚 created the first LGTBQ task force, to connect that community with our office.鈥
Juneteenth Joy in Prince George鈥檚
To celebrate Juneteenth, some community organizations and towns are planning activities and gatherings to meet neighbors and honor a very important holiday.
On June 15, Watkins Park held a Juneteenth celebration complete with live musical performances by the Chuck Brown Band and Trouble Funk, a visual art exhibition, history and arts activities, and on-site vendors. The same day, Bowie鈥檚 Allen Pond Park their third Annual Juneteenth Jubilee.
From June 14 to 16, the in Bowie Town Center spotlighted the art of 19 Black artists including , , and .
Then, from 5 p.m.- 7 p.m. on Juneteenth (June 19), the National Harbor will host the second annual Juneteenth Freedom Celebration.聽
Autumn Joi Live will host the event and there will be poem readings from recently-appointed Prince George鈥檚 County Poet Laureate Dr. Khadijah Ali-Coleman and Youth Poet Laureate Precious Foreman. There will also be live musical performances by DuPont Brass and Prince George鈥檚 Cultural Arts Foundation鈥檚 African Drumming and Percussions Master Class.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with National Harbor to bring the community together once again for this exciting Juneteenth Celebration Event,” said Prince George鈥檚 Arts and Humanities Council CEO Rhonda Dallas. “This event aims to not only celebrate the significance of Juneteenth but also provide a platform for local artists to showcase their talent and promote dialogue around important social issues.”
Fort Washington Forward, a farmer鈥檚 market based in the South County, is the holiday with a Juneteenth Jam from 3p.m.-7p.m. at the Fort Washington Business Complex on Livingston Road. The celebration will include live music, free food, and a raffle giveaway. Local Black-owned businesses will also be on site.
The County government has announced several closures for Juneteenth, including the Animal Services Facility, bulk trash collection, and 311 service.
TheBus will operate under ordinary schedule, but the Call-A-Bus and PGCLink services will resume on Thursday.
Read to find more Juneteenth celebrations across the state of Maryland.