Black Liberation Flag Crosswalk Honors African-American Heritage

Photo byCity of Olympia

Olympians crossing 9th Avenue between Adams and Franklin streets will notice a colorful new crosswalk celebrating the end of slavery, the City of Olympia reports.

The red, black, and green paint commemorates Black and African-American heritage ahead of Juneteenth on June 19, according to the City.

Juneteenth celebrates the day Major General Gordon Granger enacted the Emancipation Proclamation freeing enslaved Black Americans in Texas after the American Civil War on June 19, 1865, according to History.com.

The crosswalk is part of the Crosswalk Transformation pilot project that launched the summer of 2023, the City of Olympia reports.

The colors were intended to invoke the UNIA Afro-American flag, the Black Liberation flag and the Pan-African flag created in 1920 by Marcus Garvey, according to the city. The flag’s colors represents blood and bloodshed, Black people, and the earth, the city reports further.

"We have a history here in Olympia of several African Americans contributing, helping to build, and investing in our town," said Founder of the Women of Color in Leadership Movement, Shawna Hawk, M.A. "This is a way to honor them and current African American pioneers, business and organizational owners who are part of this community. [This project] helps in sustaining a physical place within this community which will help encourage artistic and holistic development."

The Juneteenth crosswalk will be commemorated during the annual Juneteenth Festival-Celebration on Sat., June 22 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., according to the City of Olympia.

The City reports that it is hosting the free, all-ages festival in partnership with the Women of Color in Leadership Movement and Media Island International which will feature music and vendors from Black-owned businesses.