Emotional dedication of James W Foley Memorial Community Center this afternoon

The Community Center's main sign at the Wakefield Street entrance; inset, Jim Foley doing his overseas work as a conflict journalist. (Courtesy photos)

ROCHESTER - The Rochester Community Center's renaming in honor of slain conflict journalist James W. Foley will be officially recognized today with a ribbon cutting and dedication.
The City Council approved its renaming to the James W. Foley Memorial Community Center at its regular April 6 meeting during which Mayor Caroline McCarley announced the formal ceremony.
Foley's mother, Diane Foley, who lives in Rochester, has been a tireless advocate for protections for journalists after her son was killed by Isis militants during a videotaped beheading in August of 2014.
In 2018 James Foley was awarded the Life and Liberty Award during a ceremony at the New Hampshire Supreme Court in Concord.
Foley, a freelance journalist and war correspondent, was beheaded by ISIS after nearly two years in captivity in northern Syria. The James W. Foley Legacy Foundation was created the same year by his family to improve the safety and treatment of independent freelance conflict journalists, to advocate for the safe return of Americans kidnapped abroad and to improve U.S. hostage policy.
Diane Foley said the family was thankful for the renaming.
"Our entire family is so deeply honored by the City of Rochester to have Jim remembered in such a meaningful way," she said.
Foley, who was born in Illinois and grew up in Wolfeboro, was also kidnapped in Libya in 2011 where he was held 44 days before being released.
The dedication and ribbon cutting is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. with all COVID protocols to be observed..