Spokane mayor proclaims January 2025 Haitian Independence Month; city to host Haitian Community Day Jan. 6

Mayor Lisa Brown proclaimed January 2025 as Haitian Independence Month in Spokane and encouraged residents to attend Haitian Community Day at Spokane City Hall on Jan. 6, 2025.

The proclamation, read during a city meeting, commemorates Haiti's independence and recognizes the contributions of Haitian residents who have settled in Spokane. In the proclamation, Mayor Lisa Brown said, "Whereas January 1, 1804 marks the first day Haitian people began to live in a country that was free of enslavement and colonial rule by the French government, which had colonized the land of Haiti, and as a result, decided to enslave and torture its people. Former Haitian slave, Jean Jacques Dessalines, was the man of the hour as he declared Haiti's independence, marking the country's true freedom from France, ending a long standing revolutionary war that began in 17/91. And as a result, made Haiti the first free black republic and nation to abolish slavery, sparking change within other westernized countries like America, who at the time was experiencing similar practices of enslavement and colonialism. Haitians led the way forward by demonstrating the power of resilience, unity, and an unyielding pursuit of freedom that others at the time could only dream of. And whereas today, we celebrate the ingenuity, unity, hope, resilience, hard work, community, and creativity of the Haitian people, many of whom have decided to call Spokane, Washington home and who have much to offer our great community."

The proclamation text also states: "We acknowledge and celebrate Haitian Independence Day and month in Spokane because it grants us the privilege to honor the legacy of Haiti's fight for freedom, helping to foster unity and mutual respect among all our residents. And whereas the city of Spokane encourages all residents to attend Haitian community day on January 6, 2025 at city hall to celebrate Haitian culture, history, and contributions through cultural events and activities organized by the local Haitian community. This event commemorates Spokane's commitment to diversity, promoting equity, and acknowledging the histories and achievements of all its communities. Now, therefore, I, Lisa Brown, mayor of the city of Spokane, on behalf of the people of Spokane, do hereby proclaim January 2025 as Haitian independence month in Spokane and encourage all residents to join in commemorating this important observance by celebrating the history, culture, and enduring spirit of the Haitian people."

Before the mayor read the proclamation, a presenter thanked Mel Brown, the City Council and a resident of Spokane for their welcoming spirit toward the local Haitian community, saying their welcome "has made an impact on our local Haitian community." The presenter introduced the mayor's proclamation at the meeting.

The proclamation does not create a new city program or allocate funding; it affirms a city observance and promotes the community event scheduled for Jan. 6, 2025. The announcement recognizes Haiti's 1804 independence and highlights local Haitian residents' cultural contributions to Spokane.