Hebron celebrates successful Juneteenth event

The town of Hebron held its first Juneteenth celebration on June 18. The event was sponsored by the Hebron Coalition on Diversity and Equity (CoDE), formed in July 2020 following the first-ever rally for racial justice in Hebron. CoDE’s mission is “to build a more diverse, equitable, inclusive and vibrant community,” according to the organization’s Facebook page.

CoDE members said that Hebron’s first-ever Juneteenth event was not only successful, but exceeded organizers’ highest expectations.

The day began with a ceremony at the Wall Street Cemetery, where organizers and participants gathered beside the newly-cleared African American section. CoDE member Althea Carr, Selectman Tiffany Thiele, Hebron Historian John Baron, RHAM Middle School teacher Karl Jancis, and Tammy Denease of the Connecticut Freedom Trail all spoke about the importance of preserving the history of African Americans in Hebron.

RHAM student Reegan Panico then read the poem she wrote about Cesar Peters. Among those listening was Zakiyyah Peters Hasan and other members of the Peters family. Hasan went on to express her gratitude for the work of John, Karl and the students to keep the legacy of Cesar Peters alive, and for making the members of the Peters family feel that Hebron is their home.

As attendees formed a circle and held hands for a prayer from Father Ron Kolanoski, of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, he was moved to get on his knees and, on behalf of the Anglican and Episcopal Church, ask forgiveness of the Peters family for the Church’s historical involvement in the system of slavery in the United States.

The main event, held in the Peters House and yard, was “full of joy, laughing, meeting new people, dancing, drumming, and learning about a history many residents of Hebron had never known,” according to organizers.

“I learned more specifically about slavery in Connecticut, which I had never learned before. I’ve lived in Connecticut my whole life and have never heard these stories until today,” said one participant.

In 1787, the Reverend Samuel Peters, a former Hebron resident living in England, arranged to have many of his assets sold, including his slaves, to help make financial ends meet. On September 27 of that year, Peters’ Hebron slaves, Cesar and Lowis Peters, and their children were taken forcibly from Hebron by a slave trader and brought to Norwich to be loaded on a ship headed for South Carolina.

Cesar and Lowis’s white neighbors felt that the abduction of their friends was unfair and devised an ingenious scheme to get them back from the slavers. They made up a story that Cesar had stolen some goods from a local tailor and got the local justice of the peace to issue an arrest warrant. They presented the arrest warrant to the slaver, and succeeded in bringing Cesar and Lowis back to Hebron.

CoDE wishes to thank town officials, community leaders, funders, and partners for the support the organization received to make the Juneteenth event successful. Among those who helped were: Craig Bryant and Erica Santos, staff from the Parks and Recreation Department, and Rich Marzi, volunteer; town officials Andy Tierney, Donna Lanza and Carla Pomprowicz; Congressman Joe Courtney, State Senator Cathy Osten, and Hebron Selectman Tiffany Thiele; Kevin Sullivan and Douglas Library; Karl Jancis, teacher, and RHAM Middle School students, who shared poems, books, displays, food and videos as part of the Witness Stones Project; Candy Buebendorf, RHAM High School teacher and Activism Club advisor; MaryAnn Foote and Pat Larson from the Historic Properties Commission; Mary Ellen Gonci from the Hebron Historical Society; John Baron and Jon Minard, who work to renovate the Peters House and preserve the history of African Americans and Native Americans in Hebron; Tammy Denease of the Connecticut Freedom Trail; Sarah Sportman, State Archeologist; Rhonda Philbert, Manchester Public Schools; Allison Forest, leader, and youth from the Confirmation Class of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church; Camp Hi Hoti; the Windham Interfaith Working Group; Hartford’s Proud Drill, Drum and Dance Corp; EvaE Peart and Nia Arts; Nekita Waller; funders CT Humanities Council, Graustein Memorial Fund, Northeast Family Federal Credit Union, and Berkshire Bank; partner ShopBlackCT; and several Black-owned businesses: Belle Monde Chocolates, Kitty’s Home Decor, and Perfect Poundcakes.

“And above all, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the over 70 descendants of Cesar Peters, who joined us with open hearts ─ for a day of reconciliation, connecting, celebrating, and learning from each other. We are grateful for their trust and friendship,” said CoDE organizers.

CoDE meets the second and fourth Thursday of the month by Zoom, 7-8:30pm. To receive the link to attend, please email us at Hebroncode10@gmail.com. Follow the group on Facebook to learn more.