45th Annual Tucson Juneteenth Celebration

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Carolyn’s Note: In light of the recent June 17, 2015 senseless mass murders of 9 African Americans at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, allegedly by a white man, let us also attend this Juneteenth Celebration in remembrance of them.

More information about this celebration on their FB page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tucson-Juneteenth-Celebration/521630407898433?fref=ts

3 thoughts on “45th Annual Tucson Juneteenth Celebration”

  1. Juneteenth celebration ongoing tonight till 9 p.m. At noon the NAACP of Tucson held a press conference to speak out against the murders of the 9 church parishioners in So. Carolina. Clarence Boykins of NAACP said that it was a sad occasion, but the reality of racism in America, with over 800 White supremacist organizations listed since 2008, when President Obama took office. District 5 Supervisor Richard Elias said it was “okay to be angry” for those who want to feel safe. TPD officer Juan Batista emphasized relationship building between the police and the community, along w/ prevention of violence; several pastors from the IMA (Interdenominational Ministers Alliance) spoke of forgiveness & love, their community action peace team. District 4 Supervisor Ray Carroll offered his sympathy for the mass shooting, and remembrance of Juneteenth Chair Burney Starks, who passed away recently. Responses from the audience were about anger, how to protect themselves & their children; how to be sustainable, that Black Americans needed hope “to fight institutional racism, systems that deny them their humanity”, how to address Black youth to educate them. Boykins asked for support of NAACP, and a commitment to action from other groups as well (i.e LULAC). Community resource fair, food for purchase, Buffalo Soldier exhibit ongoing as well. Supervisor Elias also responded that people need to “speak the truth in public, to stand up and create a culture of being unafraid to take action” against racism and gun violence.

    • Thanks for the historical essay and background on Juneteenth. I can now see why it took so long to free all the slaves, esp. in Texas.

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