MARION — On Saturday, July 1 at 1 p.m., the Marion Art Center will partner with the Marion Community Center and Tri Town Against Racism to present a public reading of Frederick Douglass’s 1852 speech “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? “

The event will be held at the Cushing Community Center, 465 Mill Street.

A diverse group of readers from the South Coast region will present an abridged version of Douglass’s speech, which will take approximately 50 minutes.

Audience members can stay for a community discussion following the reading. Dr. Moise St. Louis returns in 2023 to give opening remarks and help lead the discussion.

The presentation of this public reading is a statewide initiative coordinated by Mass Humanities, a generous sponsor of these free community events.