IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 Contact: City Council President, Homar Gomez

hgomez@easthamptonma.gov 

Councilor Koni Denham

 kdenham@easthamptonma.gov

Lecture On History of Local Enslavement

Easthampton, MA - The City Council and Community Relations Committee of Easthampton invite you to attend a special learning opportunity entitled “Slavery and Emancipation in the Connecticut River Valley.” Springfield College Assistant Professor of History Ian Delahanty will share recent findings on the largely buried history of enslavement of Black and Indigenous people in our area. In this presentation we will learn about the factors that shaped and continue to influence the lives of enslaved people and their descendants in our region. All are invited to this free program taking place on Monday, March 27th, at 6 p.m. 50 Payson Avenue, 2nd floor.

In December 2022, the Easthampton City Council passed a resolution in support of the Federal Government’s bill to create a commission to research enslavement and systemic racism from 1619 to the present, as well as “recommend appropriate remedies.” The resolution was sponsored by City Council President Homar Gomez and Councilor Koni Denham as a means for Easthampton “to acknowledge, condemn and express regret for the role past residents throughout the Valley played in the enslavement of Black individuals, and recognize the ongoing detrimental impacts experienced by the Black residents of Easthampton as a result of the enslavement of their ancestors.” A workgroup designed to educate the residents of Easthampton about the history and possible remedies for these detrimental impacts has organized this first educational event. 

We encourage the community to join us for this important event.

Where: 50 Payson Avenue, 2nd floor

Date: Monday, March 27th

Time: 6 pm

Cost: Free