Plainfield celebrates LGBT Pride with flag-raising Thursday

Plainfield will celebrate LGBT Pride Thursday evening.

Plainfield will celebrate LGBT Pride with a flag-raising ceremony at City Hall on Thursday, June 15, at 7:00 PM. All are invited.

The city issued the following press release --

On Thursday, June 15, 2017, at 7:00 pm, the City of Plainfield will hold a flag raising ceremony at City Hall Plaza, located at 515 Watchung Avenue. Council President and Citywide At-large Councilwoman Rebecca Williams will host the event, which is being co-sponsored by the city council and the administration.

"In the shadow of the one-year anniversary of the massacre in Orlando, I think it's important for us to come together to celebrate the great strides we have made as part of the LGBT community in Plainfield and the U.S.," stated Council President Williams, the only openly gay member of the city council. "I would add, though, that even as we celebrate, we cannot take for granted the freedom that we enjoy, and we cannot forget that heinous act a year ago, which was fueled by hate and discrimination. It is fitting that we reflect upon the struggle for equality that continues, and are mindful that the LGBT community is still under attack in many corners of the U.S., whether through legislative means, through job discrimination, through poverty, through lack of health care, and through vicious physical attacks and murder."

Mayor Adrian O. Mapp said "As we continue to grow our City it is important that we send a message that there is no place for intolerance, hatred or discrimination of any kind. Plainfield has always celebrated our diversity, and we are proud of our inclusiveness which is a model for American freedom. I am pleased to celebrate this event with our LGBT community.”

Reverend Damaris Ortega, pastor of Plainfield's United Church of Christ-Congregational, will deliver the invocation, followed by resolutions and proclamations, words from members and allies of the LGBT community in Plainfield, and the flag raising itself. The public is invited to join in the festivities.

City Hall is at 515 Watchung Avenue (at East 6th Street). Parking in the lot at the rear of City Hall.

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  -- Dan Damon [follow]

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