Africville Family Reunion returns with new safety measures

Improved lighting, additional security and a registration system will be in place at the Africville Family Reunion this coming weekend, in response to a shooting that left five people injured at the event last July.

The new measures have been implemented as the result of a safety audit organizers requested after unprecedented gun violence at the event, which reunites former residents and descendants of the historic Black community.

Running for more than 40 years, the weekend festival is one of the most important of the year for many people who return to what is now a National Historic Site, after the neighbourhood was torn down by the city of Halifax in the 1960s. 

"We want people not only to be safe, but we need them to feel safe so that they return back out here and join with us," said Irvine Carvery, president of the Africville Genealogy Society, which hosts the annual event.

Carvery said some attendees had felt apprehensive about returning, but he is confident they're feeling better knowing precautions have been put in place.

"I want them to come here, feel comfortable and enjoy the fellowship and renew old acquaintances and introduce new generations to their families," he said.  

People from across Canada and parts of the U.S. attend each year with as many as 5,000 people passing through the park during reunion weekends, he said.

It was around 10 p.m. and dark when shots were fired last year, Carvery said, so the safety review suggested lighting throughout the park.

That will be done this year using portable lights.

"All of the grounds should be well illuminated for people throughout the weekend," he said.

'I am not going to be afraid to go to Africville'

Participants will also be registered and given a park pass as they arrive which must then be displayed while they're in the park.

Additional security is being hired and police presence has been secured for the weekend.

In a statement, Halifax Regional Police confirmed officers will be on site and patrolling the surrounding area.

"We want the community to feel like they can celebrate their history and culture without fear. We encourage anyone who sees anything concerning to flag down an officer or call police," the statement said.

Paula Grant-Smith, who grew up in Africville and has never missed a family reunion, will return this weekend.

"I'm going because that is something that we've always done and I am not going to be afraid to go to Africville," Grant-Smith said.

She said last year's tragedy hurt her heart, and has shaken some of her younger family members.

A niece and nephew who are around the age of ten are reluctant to go back.

"To have that gunfire, they were traumatized then and they're traumatized now," she said. "If they do come down there, they won't stay."

She supports the new safety measures but planned on returning regardless to continue her family's tradition of honouring the spirit of Africville.

Police encourage people to come forward 

Police have not made any arrests in the case, and have said they believe people have information that could help their investigation.

"We know it is a hard decision to come forward and talk to police. Fear, distrust or concern for safety are all valid concerns. But, speaking up can be a courageous way to stand up for your community," said Halifax police Chief Don MacLean in a statement Friday. 

"If you have information about last year's shooting, and the anniversary has encouraged you to come forward, our investigators are here and ready to talk to you."

The statement said investigators have spoken to over 200 people, but "each piece of evidence and each conversation has fallen short of what we need to successfully make an arrest and get a conviction."

In April, the Nova Scotia government announced it is offering a reward of up to $150,000 to try to find those responsible for the shooting.

There have been no further tips as a result of the incident being added to the Major Unsolved Crimes Program, police said.

People were expected to begin arriving in Africville on Thursday, with reunion events running from Friday through Sunday.

MacLean said in Friday's statement that he was "encouraged by the resilience of the Africville community."

"They have not let this incident stop them from holding their reunion again," he said.