DC Emancipation Event

[L Verge]

New York Avenue Presbyterian Church
April 14, 2018, Saturday from 3 to 5 pm.

In collaboration with the government of the District of Columbia, the Black History Month Committee, and the Lincoln Group of the District of Columbia, NYAPC will host a major event for the annual celebration of DC Emancipation.

This marked the beginning of the end of slavery in America and occurred in the national capital in April 1862. There will be a program in the sanctuary that will feature history presentations, musical performances and an update on activities to secure DC statehood. Music will be provided by The Artists Group Chorale of Washington, under direction of Kelvin Page.

Dr. John Elliff, president of the Lincoln Group of the District of Columbia will discuss "Lincoln, Frederick Douglass and DC Emancipation." John O'Brien from the church history committee will describe the role of local faith and community organizations in the emancipation process. Representatives of the District government will provide updates. Sam Ford of WJLA-TV will be the master of ceremonies. There will be a reception immediately afterward in the Radcliffe Room. From here, attendees may proceed to Freedom Plaza for a evening of entertainment and fireworks.

At 1 pm, there will also be a ceremony at Judiciary Square to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the first Lincoln Memorial. The statue that still stands in front of the DC Court of Appeals Building was the first to be erected in the country to honor the assassinated president.