A park honoring George Floyd, Harriet Jacobs and other prominent Black Americans opened in downtown Raleigh on Wednesday. Residents, state and local leaders gathered at North Carolina Freedom Park to celebrate at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, where Adrienne Nird茅, the director of the , highlighted some of the park's features.
鈥淭here are five pathways that have sides along them inscribed with various quotes, all kinds of folks,鈥� she said, while hosting the ceremony.
They include quotes from civil rights activists Pauli Murray, Ella Baker and Golden A. Frinks.
The pathways lead to the park's focal point, which is a 45-foot 鈥淏eacon of Freedom鈥� monument. The monument will light up every evening.
鈥淟et us hope that this beacon, this freedom Park shines forever, and illuminates our mind,鈥� said Gov. Roy Cooper, who attended the ceremony. 鈥淲hen I think about our history, I know how important it is to learn from it鈥rom all of it. Let's learn about the great and the good, and the bad, and the ugly.鈥�
Some Raleigh residents, like Brande Shawn-Harris, came to support the park.
鈥淚 really like how they incorporated current events and added it as part of the dedication,鈥� Shawn-Harris said.
The project took over 20 years to complete. The park is located in between the governor鈥檚 mansion and the legislative building.
