In the News

Vanessa Ford, a frequent performer at civic events, sang an extended version of “Amazing Grace” Wednesday for Juneteenth commemorations in Springfield City Hall.

And when she got to a soaring lyric “My chains are gone. I’ve been set free” the crowd of more than 200 crowded into an ornate meeting room — including Gov. Maura T. Healey and U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield — added their own claps and cheers.

“It’s an important day where we celebrate the joy, the strength, the resilience of the Black community,” Healey told reporters afterward. “And we also recognize and recommit to do all we can to address racial disparities that still exist. As governor, I’m honored to be here to celebrate.”

State Rep. Bud L. Williams, D-Springfield, introduced the legislation that made Juneteenth a state holiday starting in 2021. It’s since become a federal holiday.

Juneteenth traces back to June 19, 1865, when 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, and announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state were free. It was more than two years after Lincoln’s emancipation proclamation was to have taken effect.

Neal pointed out that Wednesday’s ceremonies took place in the shadow of Springfield’s Old First Church and that New England Congregationalists helped originate the Underground Railroad and abolitionist movements.

He said no one should be fooled by revisionists’ claims about states’ rights.

“The Civil War was about slavery,” he said.

And Williams said 180,000 black men served.

“No one gave them their freedom,” he said. “They earned their freedom.”

Reenactors from The Peter Brace Brigade, established to honor the African-American contribution to the Civil War, participated.

After the ceremony, Healey, Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Williams took to the stage of Symphony Hall next door to open the Springfield Symphony Orchestra Juneteenth Freedom Day Concert and premier of Avery Sharpe’s “400 Project.”

It was a sold-out house.

Speaking with reporters afterwards, Healey said there’s still more to do addressing inequity.

Springfield issues remain. She said the state continues to review possible sites of a new courthouse and she reiterated her support.

She also thanked Neal for securing federal dollars including funding for west-east rail.

“I want to thank Congressman Neal for his leadership. He is the dean of our delegation,” she said.

She was asked about the state’s $700,000 stockpile of the abortion medication mifepristone. The state bought 15,000 doses after the medication was targeted by pro-life litigators.

Last week, the Supreme Court upheld FDA approval of the drug. But it’s still under threat.

“The plan is to continue to hold on to it,” Healey said of the supply, saying abortion access is still a top priority of her administration.

Healey had come from Juneteenth celebrations in Boston and was on her way to Worcester, saying she was going to see Celtics and Holy Cross legend Bob Cousy.