BROOKLYN PARK, Minnesota – July 24, 2026 – History was made Friday as the Liberian flag was officially raised at Brooklyn Park City Hall, marking the beginning of Liberia’s 179th Independence Day celebrations in Minnesota and underscoring the enduring relationship between the City of Brooklyn Park and one of the largest Liberian communities outside Africa.
The flag, which will fly over City Hall for 72 hours, was hoisted during a historic ceremony attended by Brooklyn Park Mayor Hollies Winston, city officials, leaders of the Liberian community, and representatives of the Liberian Consulate.
The ceremony is believed to be the first time the Liberian national flag has been officially flown at Brooklyn Park City Hall in recognition of Liberia’s Independence Day.
Mayor Hollies Winston, who received the Liberian flag from Liberia’s Consul General accredited to Minnesota, Tracy Ashley Grigsby, praised the Liberian community for its significant contributions to the growth and development of both Brooklyn Park and the State of Minnesota.
Addressing attendees, Mayor Winston reflected on the community’s role during the city’s housing crisis, recalling that many Liberian families purchased homes in Brooklyn Park at a critical time, helping to stabilize neighborhoods and strengthen the local economy.
He also commended Liberians for their active participation in city commissions and civic life, while recognizing their vital contributions to Minnesota’s healthcare workforce and other professional sectors.
“I know you have a home in Liberia, but also know that you have a home in the City of Brooklyn Park,” Mayor Winston told members of the Liberian community, drawing applause from those in attendance.
Speaking at the ceremony, Consul General Tracy Ashley Grigsby thanked the City of Brooklyn Park for honoring Liberia with the flag-raising ceremony and praised the longstanding partnership between the city and the Liberian community.
She described the event as a reflection of the strong relationship that has developed over the years between Brooklyn Park and Liberians who have made Minnesota their home.
Brooklyn Park is home to what is widely regarded as the largest concentration of Liberians outside Liberia, with more than 40,000 Liberians residing in the city and surrounding communities.
The flag-raising ceremony officially launched a weekend of activities commemorating Liberia’s 179th Independence Anniversary.
Festivities continue with the Official Independence Ball on Friday, July 24, followed by the highly anticipated Invincible Eleven (IE) versus Barrolle football and kickball matches on Saturday, July 25. The celebrations will culminate with the Grand Independence Parade on Sunday, July 26, along with several cultural and community events.
Organizers say hundreds of Liberians from across the Midwest, as well as other parts of the United States and Canada, have already begun arriving in Minnesota to participate in what has become one of the largest Liberian Independence celebrations in the diaspora.
The weekend festivities are expected to showcase Liberia’s rich cultural heritage while celebrating the enduring contributions of Liberians to the social, economic, and civic life of Minnesota.
