Wakefield HRC recaps large Pride turnout, readies Juneteenth program and welcomes new student appointees

Commissioners said the recent Pride & Progress flag-raising drew a large crowd and featured speeches and a performance by Voices of Steel. Secretary Kathy Kane said the sidewalk was “two or three people deep” and that volunteers staffed a WHRC table handing out bracelets and stickers.

The commission is preparing for a Juneteenth program scheduled for June 10 at the Americal Civic Center, beginning at 6:00 p.m. The chair said the program will open with a land acknowledgement, include a poet and a singer performing the Black national anthem, and feature the Lynn English ROTC flag-raising. A commissioner noted limited legislator participation and the absence of a rain option; members volunteered where available to help with setup.

On membership, the commission introduced two new appointees and clarified swearing-in rules: Isabella (Bella) Melo and Marlene Saldivar confirmed they have been sworn in and will be voting commissioners; Cara (student representative) was not yet sworn and will be listed as an incumbent until the town clerk’s process is completed. Chair Han Lian also announced two student appointees expected to begin July 1: Gillian Arcari and Layla Atoui.

Members also reviewed communications housekeeping: Erica reported she has been managing the WHRC Facebook page and will post Juneteenth and a Redding group’s request; the town website now routes contact-form messages to the selected WHRC member rather than all members.

The meeting closed with a motion to adjourn at 8:00 p.m., which passed by voice vote.