Gathering Hearts is a free public community gathering that will bring together residents of Fitchburg and the surrounding region for an afternoon of cultural expression, reflection, and solidarity. The event will include traditional dance, music, prayer, and spoken reflections led by cultural groups, community organizations, and faith leaders.

Inspired by traditions of peaceful cultural protest practiced throughout Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, and Central America, the event will use song, dance, prayer, and community presence to create space for remembrance, healing, and resilience. Participants will gather to honor individuals and families affected by immigration enforcement while celebrating the cultural traditions and strength of Fitchburg’s Latino and immigrant communities.

The gathering will take place at Fitchburg Abolitionist Park, connecting contemporary struggles for dignity and justice with the city’s historic role in the movement to end slavery in the United States. The event will activate the park as a living public space where history, culture, and civic engagement intersect.

DATE: Sunday, May 17

TIME: 2 – 4 PM

LOCATION: Fitchburg Abolitionist Park, 50 Snow Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420

ACCESS: Fitchburg Abolitionist Park has handicap accessible sidewalk access at three points – at the entrance, and at the corners of Snow/Cherry and Snow/Union streets; there are ten spaces across the street from the Park and three handicap spaces in front of the Park. The outdoor historic timeline is set to be wheelchair-height. The patio which takes up a third of the space is flat/level and includes four benches which seat at least 2-3 persons each.

Photo courtesy of the Friends of Fitchburg Abolitionist Park

This program is offered by the Friends of Fitchburg Abolitionist Park as part of the Hidden Treasures Festival of Nature, Culture & History, an annual month-long celebration showcasing events and activities hosted by local partners celebrating the unique places, objects, and stories of the Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area. Hidden Treasures programs are free and open to the public. Click to discover more Hidden Treasures!