LYNN — The city raised the Guatemalan flag Tuesday and the Nicaraguan flag Thursday to honor the countries’ Independence Days.
Thursday marked 121 years of independence from Spain for both countries and the start of National Hispanic Heritage Month. Before the Tuesday flag raising, the city and its Guatemalan Flag Raising Committee hosted a ceremony to celebrate the holiday that included speakers, performances, and music. Members and friends of Lynn’s Guatemalan community filled more than half of City Hall’s auditorium, many dressed in traditional clothing and waving Guatemalan flags.
Event organizers presented Mayor Jared Nicholson with an award for “breaking barriers” and his support for the Guatemalan community. In return, Nicholson presented recognitions to active members of Lynn’s Guatemalan community. The ceremony hosts also gave state Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn) an award for his work advocating for immigrant rights.
Earlier this year, Crighton took part in the state legislature’s override of a Gov. Charlie Baker veto to pass a law authorizing driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants.
“It is the greatest honor of my life to be able to represent you in the Massachusetts State Senate. By representing you, I mean working for you and the entire community,” Crighton told event attendees Tuesday. “The fight continues. We need to get out and make sure this law stands and continues to be there. It will be on the ballot. I will be reaching out to all of you because we have to keep fighting. Without all of you, we’re not going to be able to do it.”
Nicholson and a Guatemalan Consulate representative from Providence, Rhode Island addressed the crowd Tuesday in Spanish. Nicholson said he is proud of the city’s Guatemalan community and that its food and music contributions “bring a lot” to Lynn.
The ceremony included art pieces showcasing Guatemala’s national bird, the resplendent quetzal, flower, the orchid, and tree, the ceiba. Performances included songs, a poem reading, and traditional dance. Event hosts also led attendees in the Guatemalan pledge of allegiance.
Lynn Police Department Deputy Chief Michael Vail also spoke to the crowd Tuesday. He said the department values its friendship with Lynn’s Guatemalan community and wished attendees a “safe and joyous” Independence Day celebration.
“Independence Day is the time we celebrate the liberties and freedoms secured for all of us,” Vail said. “It reminds us of the power of shared vision, the importance of coming together, and the importance of being a community.”
Rachel Barber can be reached at [email protected].
