On January 1, 2023, the Perry County Emancipation Proclamation Committee held the 160th celebration of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation at the Marion Baptist Academy building in Marion. Due to the pandemic, the event had not been held since January 2020. Reverend Adrian Knox, the pastor of Zion United Methodist Church in Marion, delivered the keynote address. Mr. Donald Bennett, the President of Main Street Marion, presided over the order of the program. “Let Us March on Until Victory Is Won”, was the theme chosen by the organization for this year. In addition to the annual celebration, the group has awarded thousands of needed scholarship dollars to graduating high school seniors. Scores of members of the public attended the event, including various elected and/or appointed officials; namely, Christine Jackson, Perry County Revenue Commissioner; Commissioner Albert Turner, Jr., Chairman of Perry County Commission; Mayor Dexter Hinton of the City of Marion; and Principal Bruce Jackson of Francis Marion High School. The members of the organization would like to express their extreme gratitude for the public’s continued support. — Hon. Robert D. Bryant, District Judge.
