Around 1:00 p.m. today, Friday, June 19, 2020, a Juneteenth Racial Injustice Rally will be held in Bell Park, behind the Grace Hartman Amphitheatre promoting equity and inclusiveness and condemning racism, discrimination and police brutality.

Communities everywhere are calling for justice. We are here to listen and to be part of the solution. We acknowledge and take responsibility for the role Police have played in systemic racism. Above listening, we are committed to taking action and working with diverse communities to ensure that all peoples are treated with respect and dignity.

Officers will be present to ensure the safety of participants. We understand and appreciate the power of language and we are working with organizers to provide a safe platform for your voices to be heard.    

Juneteenth (June 19) commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievements. Originating in 1865, in light of African American Emancipation Day, it remains the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.

The Rally will begin around 1:00 p.m. in Bell Park with speeches from Black and Indigenous leaders, followed by a walk to the Bridge of Nations looping back to Bell Park. Motorists should expect delays in the area of Paris Street at York Street to Paris Street at Van Horne Street between 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Officers in cruisers and on bicycles will be ensuring the safety of those marching, as well as, the orderly flow of traffic.

We are dedicated to protecting and serving Greater Sudbury and we want to continue having respectful dialogues with all communities to build public trust through community engagement and transparency.

We know that there is much work to be done and we will continue to work with you and listen to you as we work together to put an end to racism and violence.

Email icon Back to Search