Harrison Public Schools & Town Pride Flag Raising Tues. June 11, 2024

The Joint Harrison Public Schools and Town of Harrison Pride Flag Raising event is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at 12:30 p.m. This annual event celebrates and supports the LGBTQ+ community within Harrison and beyond.

However, the timing of the event has sparked some controversy among residents. Many have taken to social media to express their concerns about the midday timing, which falls during work hours, making it difficult for a significant portion of the community to attend. Critics argue that this scheduling prevents many residents from participating and showing their support for the LGBTQ+ community. It also reflects that the Town of Harrison is merely going through the motions of holding a Pride Flag raising but scheduling it at a time when most Harrisonians cannot attend the event. The event is also not on the official website of the Town of Harrison website or Calendar.  Most residents who are checking the Town of Harrison website are unaware of the Pride Flag Raising event.

One resident commented, "Having the event at 12:30 p.m. means most of us can't be there. We need an evening or weekend event so everyone can join in."  The recent Portugal Day Flag raising was held on Sunday at 10 a.m. which enabled a large crowd to participate in the event.  The St. Patrick’s Day parade which is held on the 2^nd Sunday in March each year has its flag raising on the Sunday before the St. Patrick’s Day Parade which also draws a large crowd paying respect to the contributions of the Irish to our country.

The debate has brought to light the need for more accessible timing for such important community events. Many residents have voiced their desire for a flag-raising ceremony in the early evening or on a weekend to allow for greater participation.

Town of Kearny Flag Raising 2023

In neighboring towns, similar events are being held at times more accommodating to community members. The Town of Kearny will raise its Pride Flag on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at 11 a.m., and the Borough of East Newark is hosting its flag-raising on Monday, June 24, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. These events are expected to draw large crowds, reflecting the community's support for LGBTQ+ rights and visibility. The Town of Harrison event has mostly the participation of students of the Harrison Public Schools who are requested to attend and perform by the Director of Personnel James Doran who is also Harrison’s 4^th Ward Councilman.

As Pride Month continues, the conversation about accessibility and inclusivity at these events highlights the ongoing effort to ensure that all voices are heard and represented. The Harrison community's call for a more convenient time for the Pride Flag raising event underscores the importance of inclusive scheduling for community events, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to participate and show their support.

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