August 20 declared Slavery Remembrance Day in Houston

Friday, August 20, was Houston’s first day of remembrance of slavery.

Congressman Al Green commemorated the occasion by holding a town hall commemorating slavery in Greater Grace Houston. Representatives of the state and local government were present.

With the recent surge in coronavirus cases and emerging variants, the event also included a vaccination and food distribution drive.

Last month, Green introduced the original Slavery Day resolution to establish August 20 as the Commemoration of Slavery Day in Houston. The proclamation was signed by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner on August 13th.

“If we allow the horrors of slavery to fade from our collective memories, we are merely spreading naivety and a whitewash of history that abandons the legacy of the suffering and sacrifice of enslaved individuals,” Green said. “My goal for Slavery Remembrance Day is to provide an annual reminder that we must always remember the centuries-long effects of slavery on our nation.”

“Pearl Harbor, 9/11 and the Holocaust each have national memorial days to commemorate the atrocities of these tragedies,” said Green. “My resolution HR 517 intends to add the Remembrance Day of Slavery to the list of Remembrance Days of Horrific Historical Events that we as a nation wish to remember forever. This resolution would commemorate the fundamental sin of our nation by declaring August 20th of each year the commemorative day of slavery. “

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Pfizer COVID-19 shots were given by health care workers at Harris County Public Health. The food that was distributed to the first 100 people and families was provided by the Houston Food Bank. Individuals who received their first shots were eligible for a $ 100 Harris County gift card incentive.

Houston’s August 20 Memorial Day of Slavery was recognized by Mayor Sylvester Turner of the City of Houston; Mayor Robin Elackatt and Councilor Jeff Boney of the City of Missouri City; Fort Bend Precinct 2 Commissioner Grady Prestage; Ann Johnson, Alma Allen, Diego Bernal, Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, Celia Israel, Christina Morales, Sheryl N. Cole, Claudia Ordaz Perez, Chris Turner, Joe Deshotel, Donna Howard, Alex Dominguez, Eddie Morales, Garnet F Coleman, Gene Wu , Vikki Goodwin, Ina Minjarez, Jasmine Crockett, Armando Martinez, Mary E. Gonzalez, Michelle Beckley, Victoria Neave, Evelina Ortega, Penny Morales Shaw, Mary Ann Perez, Richard Peña Raymond, Elizabeth Campos, James Talarico, Rhetta Andrews Bowers, Ron Reynolds, Jon Rosenthal, Carl Sherman, Shawn Thierry, Toni Rose, and Joe Moody; and Texas State Sens. Royce West, Judith Zaffirini, Juan Hinojosa, Roland Gutierrez, Borris Miles, Cesar Blanco, Beverly Powell, Sarah Eckhardt, Eddie Lucio Jr., Carol Alvarado, Jose Menendez, and John Whitmire.

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