Trenton, NJ – On Wednesday the city raised the national African Liberation Flag to honor the historical achievements and sacrifices made by black people locally and abroad. The ceremony marked 16th anniversary of the flag raising.
Amsterdam News reports:
In January 2001, New Black Panther Party Youth Minister Divine Allah petitioned the City Council and the mayor’s office, headed by Douglas Palmer, demanding to have the flag raised in honor of Black history. Raising the flag was initially met with resistance and uneasiness from the administration and many local leaders at that time. However, the Black Panthers persisted and soon prevailed.
“We’ve accepted it as an ancestral blessing,” Allah said. “A few times, the flag has even flown atop City Hall for the entire month. No one can deny that the New Black Panther Party has made a revolutionary mark in the Trenton community.”
Permission was granted, and ever since, the red, black and green flag would be raised for one week during the month of February.
