Chicopee raises flag for Puerto Rican heritage month

Chicopee raised the Puerto Rican flag tonight in recognition of Puerto Rican Heritage Month, celebrating the culture, history and contributions of the Puerto Rican community. 22 News reporter Lexi White is live in studio after attending tonight's event and speaking with local leaders about the significance of this observance. Ciara, elected officials and members of the community filling up the City Hall Auditorium to celebrate Puerto Rican culture and honor their heritage. Raising the flag to celebrate culture and honor where you came from. November is National Puerto Rican Heritage Month, and the city of Chicopee is marking the occasion with a proclamation ceremony, bringing together local government officials and members of the community to recognize how deep the Chicopee Puerto Rican roots grow. The Puerto Rican rich history, the culture, and the contributions. made to our community. So there's generations of Puerto Rican families who have created the fabric of what Chicopee is today. The Chicopee High School marching band performing a musical piece and one member of the band singing the Puerto Rican national anthem showing their embrace of the culture. Puerto Ricans are United States citizens by birth and that is not a story about immigration but a story of resilience of opportunity. This is a story about Americans moving from one part of their country to another. People waving their Puerto Rican flags high and mighty, embodying their heritage in entirety and bonding over their shared cultural backgrounds. And after the proclamation is a celebration with locally owned Puerto Rican businesses and cuisine all to celebrate the heritage. The room filling with music, dancing and pure appreciation of Puerto Rican heritage. We care about people. We care about stuff. We care about animals. We care about all that. So it just really warms me. It truly was a night of embracing who you are and being proud of your roots, helping to make sure the city's residents know they are appreciated. Working for you. Lexi White, 22 News.