Community Invited to Attend Inaugural Disability Pride Flag Raising Ceremony on July 8

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PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach is recognizing Disability Pride and Empowerment Month, taking place throughout July, with the City's inaugural flag raising ceremony for the Disability Pride flag. Community members are invited to join City leadership and staff at a ceremony on Monday, July 8, at 3:15 p.m. in the Civic Center Plaza (411 W. Ocean Blvd.). The Disability Pride flag will fly with the American flag, California State flag and City seal flag now through the end of July.

"Raising the Disability Pride flag is a symbol of our diversity, strength and support for all. Here in Long Beach, we celebrate and embrace the unique contributions and abilities of all members of our community," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "We continue to champion equity in everything that we do, and we encourage folks to come out and join us in this inaugural recognition ceremony."

In July 2023, the Long Beach City Council adopted a resolution recognizing July as Disability Pride and Empowerment Month in honor of the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in July 1990. On June 18, 2024, the City Council approved with an 8 to 0 vote the recommendation to raise the Disability Pride flag in the Civic Center Plaza in the month of July and keep it raised through the end of the month. The recommendation to adopt a resolution to raise the Disability Pride flag was brought forward by First District Councilwoman Mary Zendejas and co-sponsored by Vice Mayor and Second District Councilwoman Cindy Allen and Ninth District Councilmember Dr. Joni Ricks-Oddie.

"Disability Pride and Empowerment Month is a powerful opportunity to honor the remarkable achievements and invaluable contributions of individuals with disabilities," said First District Councilwoman Mary Zendejas. "By raising the Disability Pride flag, we are fostering a profound sense of belonging and acceptance, while passionately advocating for disability rights and equity. This inaugural flag-raising ceremony is a historic milestone for our community, and I eagerly look forward to seeing our community members come together to celebrate this momentous occasion."

Community members are invited to join in the recognition by attending the ceremony in person or by watching the livestream on the City social platforms listed below. For those attending in person, complimentary parking will be available in the public parking garage located at the corner of Chestnut Avenue and Broadway.

• City of Long Beach Facebook and X pages @LongBeachCity and on YouTube @LongBeachCityCA.
• Long Beach Television Facebook and YouTube and at LBTV3.com.

Recognizing July as Disability Pride and Empowerment Month underscores the City's commitment to annually celebrating and respecting all people with disabilities and builds upon the efforts of breaking barriers in all areas of public life. It also recognizes the valuable contributions the disability community brings to the growth, diversity and economic prosperity of Long Beach.

About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture, and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, the award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.

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