Winchester To Raise Black Lives Matter, Pride Flags In Common

WINCHESTER, MA — On Friday, June 19th the Winchester Select Board, in collaboration with the Network for Social Justice, will raise a rainbow pride flag and a Black Lives Matter flag on the Winchester Town Common.

"This is a welcome symbolic gesture from the Town of Winchester that reaffirms its commitment to equality, inclusion and progress," said Representative Michael Day. "We, as a community, acknowledge that we must do a better job to address systemic prejudices in all aspects of our society, whether that is in criminal justice, access to policy-making bodies or even something as fundamental as housing opportunities."

Taking place on Juneteenth, an annual celebration commemorating the end of slavery, and during LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, raising the flags is an endorsement of the town’s Human Rights Statement, which states Winchester is “grounded in respect for every individual, and therefore protects all residents, employees, business owners, students and visitors in the enjoyment and exercise of human and civil rights.”

In a statement to the community, the town said that raising the flags in the wake of the protests about George Floyd's death and police brutality acknowledges, "work that we all need to do to create a more equitable and inclusive society and reinforces that Joint Statement on Police Brutality and Systemic Racism released by the Network for Social Justice, Town of Winchester, Winchester Public Schools, Winchester School Committee, and Select Board."

The public is invited to the flag raising on the Winchester Town Common on Friday, June 19th at noon. Social distancing will be in effect, and mask usage is required.

“Our Town Common is the right place for Winchester to activate a community conversation about racial justice, equity, and inclusion as we aspire to the values expressed in the Town’s Human Rights Statement,” Select Board Chair Michael Bettencourt said. “I am hopeful that the Winchester community can create a safe place where we can have these tough conversations.”