On July 4th at Pliny Park, the Community Equity Collaborative, Brooks Memorial Library and members of the public will host a communal reading of Frederick Douglass's fiery 1852 speech, "The Meaning of the Fourth of July to the Negro" at 9:30 am, prior to the arrival of the By the People: Brattleboro Goes Fourth parade.

On July 5, 1852, Douglass, a former slave and leading abolitionist, raised the "race question" at an event in Rochester, NY, commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence. "Fellow-citizens," he began, "why am I called upon to speak here to-day? What have I, or those I represent, to do with your national independence? Do you mean, citizens, to mock me, by asking me to speak to-day? What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July?" For more information call (802) 254-5290 ext. 1201 or visit www.brookslibraryvt.org.

Nov 21, 7 AM to 2 PM, Nov 24, 2024

Nov 21, 2024, 5:30 to 7 PM

Nov 23, 2024, 4 to 9 PM