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Lowell mayor issues proclamation at Sierra Leone Independence Day flag-raising
Summary
City of Lowell officials and Sierra Leone community leaders held a flag-raising and ceremony at City Hall in May 2025 to mark Sierra Leones 64th Independence Day; Mayor Daniel P. Rourke issued a proclamation and community speakers outlined plans for local programming and a community building.
Mayor Daniel P. Rourke and city officials joined members of Lowell's Sierra Leone community at Lowell City Hall in May 2025 for a flag-raising ceremony marking Sierra Leone's 64th Independence Day.
The mayor read a proclamation declaring the day Sierra Leone Independence Day in the City of Lowell, noting the communitys contributions to the city's cultural life and calling attention to the diaspora's role in local civic and economic activity. "The Sierra Leone community has played a vital role in shaping the city's cultural richness, contributing to its economic growth, and social vibrancy," the proclamation text read.
The ceremony included an invocation and a prayer led by religious leaders, the U.S. national anthem followed by Sierra Leone's anthem, and remarks from community organizers. Michael Gandhi, identified as president of the Organization of Sierra Leone Americans in New England (Auslan-Lowell), delivered the keynote remarks and urged unity and community service. "No place like home," Gandhi said as he encouraged attendees to support both local and homeland development. He also called on Sierra Leoneans to counter misinformation on social media and to work to make the country more attractive to investors so that "more jobs will be created for our youths."
Gandhi outlined Auslan-Lowell's goals for the coming year, including acquiring a building for meetings and youth programming, providing technical advice to young people, promoting cultural diversity, and offering support to members who are bereaved or ill. The organization said those aims will support educational and community activities such as training, seminars and cultural events.
Vice President Florence Comer, described in the program as the organization's newly elected vice president, offered closing thanks on behalf of Auslan-Lowell and the community, expressing gratitude to city officials, public safety personnel and volunteers who supported the event. "Thank you to all of you for attending and participating in today's event. Your presence made it truly special," Comer said. The ceremony concluded with a request from organizers for attendees to assemble for a group photograph with city staff and photographers from the City of Lowell.
The event was ceremonial and celebratory: there were no votes or formal council actions recorded during the ceremony beyond the mayoral proclamation. Organizers asked community members to continue annual participation so that younger generations maintain the tradition.
Not all names and spellings in remarks were consistent across the program and the spoken remarks; the article uses the names and roles as provided in the ceremony program and spoken introductions.
