FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM AUGUST 13, 2020 • BUZZ • THE QUEENS COURIER 31
Jamaica councilman hosts weeklong celebration of Black lives
BY JACOB KAYE
jkaye@schnepsmedia.com
@QNS
Following the painting of a Black Lives
Matter mural along Jamaica Avenue and
a street naming ceremony last week,
Councilman I. Daneek Miller launched
a weeklong celebration of Black lives
and the Jamaica community from Aug. 2
through Aug. 7.
Th e celebration included performances
from a gospel choir, activities for families
and young people and a block party.
“Standing on the shoulders of those
who have come before us, we’ve fought for
both social and economic justice and
the respect and dignity of black lives.
Th e Black Lives Matter mural will serve
as a visual representation of all we have
done and what we still have yet to do as a
community, and we are grateful for
the opportunity to bring this to
Downtown Jamaica, a vibrant
hub of arts and culture in
Southeast Queens,” Miller
said. “Th e week’s events
seek to highlight the richness
of Southeast Queens,
while also serving as an
opportunity to gather and do the critical
work of discussing how we can collectively
better our community.
On Sunday, the weeklong celebration
kicked off with Gospel Day, which featured
prayer, live music, dance and vocal
performances. On Monday, dubbed Youth
Day, families and children enjoyed activities
and were given information on educational
enrichment activities.
On Tuesday, physical and mental health
experts came out to educate the community.
COVID-19 tests were available, as
well as a Planned Parenthood mobile van.
A Block Party for Peace was held on the
street on Wednesday.
Th ursday was Community Day, hosted
byDr. Bob Lee of WBLS. Friday, Aug.
7, was for the youth, featuring live performances
from young musicians and a
youth rally.
On all six days of celebration, a Census
2020 representative was available to
encourage people to fi ll out the census.
buzz
Photos by Dean Moses
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