You’re invitied to the ESFL’s Freedom! Reception

Come and meet neighbors of this gracious Carnegie Library, which the ESFL is honored to call our new home.  Hear plans for restoration, renovation & preservation of the building.  Hear plans for ESFL programming, near-term while the building gets attention, and long-term when we’re fully up and running.  AND, mark or learn about Juneteenth, an important event in the history of Freedom Struggle in America.

Juneteenth has long been celebrated to mark the end of enslavement: On June 19th, 1865, Texas slaveowners finally released their remaining slaves, two months after the end of the Civil War.

Although it is not a legal holiday in the U.S., Juneteenth’s significance in the Freedom Struggle has been kept alive by generations of African Americans. In recent years, its observation has grown; 42 states now make some official recognition of the holiday, and there are grassroots activities in all 50 states. In Minnesota, this year’s major celebration will be on Saturday, June 14, in North Mississippi River Regional Park in Minneapolis.

The East Side Freedom Library has taken possession of the historic Carnegie library long know as the Arlington Hills Library. We are beginning the process of restoration and renovation of the building in order to house rich historic and artistic resources and develop educational and cultural programs.

The ESFL’s founding motto is: Awaken! to the Work of Freedom! for Yourself and for All Beings!

We would like to open the ESFL’s new quarters to the East Side neighbors and local friends, to enliven the now-vacant building and help us imagine how we will transform this space to do the Work of Freedom. Join us for short presentations about the historical legacy of Emancipation and Juneteenth, and ESFL’s plans for the near future.

History/Arts program will begin @5:30, featuring:  Twin Cities Labor Chorus;  Ricardo Levins-Morales;  Kao Kalia Yang, Sha Cage, and other artists and educators who’ll help us mark this occasion.

Directions
Freeway:  35E North to the Maryland Exit;  East on Maryland to Greenbrier (after Payne);  right on Greenbrier 2 blocks.  Neighborhood street parking.  (Note:  rush hour, 35E can be slow…)

Surface Roads:  Take 7th Street to Payne Avenue (which begins at 7th).  Follow Payne to Case Avenue, take a right (or go East) on Case to Greenbrier.  Turn left, go @2 blocks to the Carnegie Library.  Neighborhood street parking.