Liberia is a small country on the East Coast of Africa, but even small countries still have an Independence Day. Liberia’s is this Saturday, July 26th and the members of the Union of Liberians in WNY are going to be celebrating. The organization is dedicated to welcoming newcomers from Liberia into America and helping them integrate into American society as well as assisting those Americo-Liberians who reverse immigrate to their homeland.
Members of the organization from Buffalo, Rochester, and Utica as well as other African community organizations, refugee agencies and individuals will meet for the main program at the Holy Cross Church Gym at 345 Seventh Street off of Niagara Street starting at 7:30 PM. Though the main program begins that evening, during the afternoon, there will be a soccer game.
Chief H. McCarthy Gipson, Commissioner of the City Police will be a guest speaker at the event celebrating the 161st independence anniversary of Liberia. The outdoor/indoor event will focus on common bonds between the growing number of Liberian immigrants and the American people.
In 1822 African-Americans began returning to West Africa and founded Liberia as “Land of the Free” with the help of the American Colonization Society, which also helped the returning community live in peace with the early indigenous inhabitants. On July 26, 1847, the founders of Liberia declared themselves independent from the Society.
While helping Liberia, the Society kept records of the African-Americans who returned to Liberia from various parts of the United States. Liberia’s first president was a toddler when he left Norfolk, Virginia with his brother and mother. A higher concentration of African-Americans left the US from Virginia for Liberia than in any other part of the country. Amidst this reverse immigration, the Union of Liberians in WNY was formed.
Now the society helps more with immigrants coming from Liberia than going to, but their goals remain the same – to help the Liberian community, whatever direction they are headed. So come out and enjoy their Independence Day celebration this Saturday, July 26. The soccer game takes place in the afternoon and the main program begins at 7:30 PM in the Holy Cross Church Gym.
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