Windsor marked Emancipation Day with the unveiling of a new monument recognizing the history, resilience and contributions of the Black community. The monument, which designs for were revealed earlier this year, were officially unveiled during a ceremony Friday at Jackson Park. The event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the unveiling of three murals created by artist Dennis K. Smith and the presentation of interpretive panels that tell the stories and significance behind Emancipation Day. Celebrations began with a ceremonial parade through Jackson Park before continuing with a community festival featuring live music, poetry, cultural performances, food vendors and community information booths. The ceremony is part of a broader Emancipation Jubilee Weekend taking place across Windsor-Essex. The annual event commemorates the anniversary of the Slavery Abolition Act, which ended slavery throughout most of the British Empire. Organizers say the monument serves as a lasting tribute to the contributions of Black Canadians and the importance of preserving and sharing their stories for future generations. With files from CTV News Windsor’s Lori Berg
