Civil rights activist Elizabeth Peratrovich celebrated in Petersburg
Posted by Angela Denning | Feb 17, 2020
Petersburg celebrated Elizabeth Peratrovich Day on Sunday along with traditional Tlingit dancers visiting from Wrangell. Peratrovich was Tlingit and born in Petersburg. As a civil rights activist, she spoke in front of the Alaska Territorial Legislature against segregation in 1945. After her speech, lawmakers passed the first anti-discrimination law in the nation. This year, Peratrovich was the first Alaska Native to be minted on a U.S. coin.
On
Sunday, about
200 people marched through downtown Petersburg in a parade and then celebrated
at the John Hanson Sr. Hall. There was singing, dancing, speeches, and
feasting.
KFSK’s Angela Denning created this audio postcard of the event:
The celebration event raised over $4,000 for the Elizabeth Peratrovich mural project being planned for the outside of the Petersburg Courthouse.
KFSK_donate
Lovalaska-PickClickGive-White-on-Green_2-500×228
March 31 is the deadline to make a donation to a nonprofit through your Permanent Fund Dividend. Thank You for supporting Petersburg nonprofits!!
noaa-transparent-logo_KFSK
Mobile Alert Registration
Information to register mobile devices for National Alert Notices
webcam
LIVE Web Cam KFSK Tower
Homegrown Conversations for Curious Minds
Homegrown Conversations for Curious Minds - a KFSK and Public Library Podcast