Councilor Willie Burnley, Jr. delivers a speech at the flag-raising Juneteenth event.

By The Times Staff

While Juneteenth celebrates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, it is also a day to reflect on the values of our society and nation in the effort to protect our rights as Americans.

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the City of Somerville raised the flag of freedom on the City Hall concourse on June 16, with local residents and advocates delivering remarks in commemoration of the holiday for the third year in the city.

“This flag-raising symbolizes our commitment to fighting for a just and equitable society,” said Amanda Nagim-Williams, director of the Department of Racial & Social Justice. “It symbolizes that freedom and justice are for everyone, and it’s a reminder that we must continue to preserve history and truth.”

President Joe Biden signed the bill into law, making Juneteenth the 12^th federal holiday back on June 18, 2021. Now, 160 years after the end of the Civil War, citizens of Somerville reflect on the darkest chapter of American history.

“Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom,” said Mayor Ballantyne. “But it’s also a reminder that freedom has always had to be fought for, that justice has never been handed out, and that real equity is something we must demand and build together.”

Mayor Ballantyne explained the need to protect our freedoms as we enter into a new era.

“We are witnessing efforts to rewrite history, literally and figuratively,” said Mayor Ballantyne. “Political figures are proposing to name military bases after Confederate generals, book bans are targeting black authors, and dog whistles of racism and division are being blasted through megaphones.”

Councilor Willie Burnley Jr. delivered an impassioned speech, emphasizing as he did last year, that nobody is free unless everybody is free.

“In that centuries-long battle for the soul of this nation, Juneteenth stands as a watershed moment,” said City Councilor Burnley, Jr.

Councilor Burnley Jr. read from the 14th Amendment about the freedoms we have as citizens of the United States.

“We see our fascist in chief challenging the very foundations of birthright citizenship,” said Councilor Burnley Jr. “If we cannot stand up for each other in this moment and ensure that everybody receives their rights and especially their due process, this will no longer be a nation of laws, it will be a rogue state.”

Three more speakers (Henry Parker, Katherine Nakato, Leonor Galindo) delivered remarks and then the flag was raised to the song, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

Mayor Ballantyne and Gerly Adrien at the flag-raising ceremony. — Photo courtesy of Gerly Adrien

Gerly’s serves up ice cream at Juneteenth flag-raising ceremony

Ice Cream was served following the Juneteenth flag-raising ceremony on June 16. Gerly’s Ice Cream makes homemade, nut-free ice cream. The business was formerly called Tipping Cow Ice Cream until last year.

“I love the business,” says Owner Gerly Adrien, a former City Councilor from Everett. “Because I love ice cream.” Adrien is a Somerville native and wanted to contribute to the Juneteenth flag-raising ceremony by providing ice cream to attendees.

The business is a female Black-owned ice cream establishment that serves an array of 30-40 flavors. Dairy and vegan flavors were available at the event.

“I really like to try and make unique flavors,” Adrien says. “Right now, we have a sweet olive oil and honey, we have a fig & goat cheese, which is really popular.”

Gerly’s ice cream is located at 415 Medford St. in Somerville. — Photo courtesy of Gerly Adrien

Their slogan: scoops of joy, made with love. The ice cream shop alternates the flavors every two weeks, but there are always the same classic flavors available. The most popular flavor is cookies & cream. Their smallest cone and cups are $4, a pint is $8, and a quart is $13.

Gerly’s offers ice cream-making workshops on the weekends to create homemade ice cream from scratch in two hours.

“I do that at the Foundry in Cambridge,” Adrien says. “I teach people how to make ice cream.”

There are ten openings for interested students in each class to learn how to make everything from chocolate to bubble gum flavored ice cream. Adult tickets cost $60 and child tickets cost $45, and can be reserved through Eventbrite.

Gerly Adrien teaches her students to make ice cream at the weekend workshop. — Photo courtesy of Gerly Adrien