Salem Willows Black Picnic, Protest Walk Planned For Saturday

SALEM, MA — Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo said city residents and visitors are welcome at Salem Willows on Saturday for the traditional "Black Picnic" commemoration of the centuries-old Black voting system, as the founder of an organization that had run a Negro Election Day event in the city planned a "solo solidarity march" in protest of what she called the "confiscation of the city's Negro Election Day festival."

"Over the past few years, a private entity has held an organized event on the day, but this year they did not apply for a permit to hold their event," Pangallo said in a post on social media on Friday. "Nevertheless, the park is open and the community gathering historically called the Black Picnic is still taking place."

The day celebrates the first democratic voting system in America, designed by free and formerly enslaved Africans around the New England colonies 35 years before the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Gov. Charlie Baker signed a proclamation declaring Negro Election Day an official state holiday in 2022.

Salem United Inc. founder Doreen Wade has been involved in an ongoing dispute with the city in recent years over the state holiday recognition and festival that had included a parade, flag raising, speakers, music, and vendors at Salem Willows.

• Salem United Founder's Protest March Aims To 'Take Black Back'
• Salem Funding Dispute Threatens Annual Black Negro Election Day Events

Wade clashed with Salem officials over what she said is her trademark ownership of the event and her ability to run it and obtain funding as she chooses.

She said in a letter to Patch last month that she intends to march alone on Saturday at 11 a.m., along the original parade route with a short distance added, to "protest the appropriation of Negro culture and the attempt to sell it, for financial gain, up to $150,000."

Salem officials said they are looking forward to the return to an informal event this year that welcomes "families and friends from near and far for this annual celebration of Black history and togetherness."

Officials said that attendees should note that Salem Willows is undergoing an improvement project, resulting in a small area of the park being temporarily fenced off for renovations.

"The city apologizes for any inconvenience and very much appreciates the patience of all park users as the Salem Willows Signature Park project advances to ensure Salem Willows can be enjoyed for generations to come," officials said.

(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.)