June 18, 2020, East Orange, NJ: Mayor Ted R. Green will announce plans to designate June 19, also known as Juneteenth, as an official city holiday to commemorate the day that the slaves in Texas received word of their emancipation.
According to history, June 19, 1865 is the date that the Union Army’s Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas and announced the end of both Civil War and slavery. The declaration came almost two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln announced the Emancipation Proclamation.
The announcement will be made during the city’s first Virtual Juneteenth Flag Raising on Friday, June 19, 2020 beginning at 5pm. It can be viewed LIVE on Facebook and Instagram@EOCityHall.
“This designation of Juneteenth as a holiday represents my administration’s commitment not only to honor our ancestors, but also to focus our efforts on dismantling the racial injustices and systemic racism that has plagued the lives of black people everywhere,” said Mayor Green. “This is not just about a holiday, however. The holiday is symbolic. The intent behind it is what really counts and that’s a collective demand for reform and policies that will bring meaningful and lasting change in our communities.”
Under the sponsorship of Third Ward Councilman Vernon Pullins, Chair of the Law and Legislation Committee, the East Orange City Council will be presenting a resolution to support the proposed holiday during the Monday, June 20th regular City Council Meeting.
In previous years, East Orange has hosted a variety of celebrations in honor of Juneteenth, including a pop-up historical display during its annual East Orange MACFest, but this will be the first year that the city is hosting a flag raising. The virtual ceremony will be streamed on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram on the front steps of City Hall.
“The members of the City Council stand with the Mayor and citizens of this great city to pause to recognize June 19th as Juneteenth,” said Christopher D. James, Chairman of the East Orange City Council. “Please remember that slavery did not end overnight and was instead a long journey to freedom for Black people. We have made great strides over the years, yet as the current events remind us, we are far from done to achieve equality.”
WHO: Mayor Green, East Orange City Council, and Circles of Healing
WHAT: East Orange Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony
WHEN: Friday, June 19, 2020 @5 PM
WHERE: FB and INSTAGRAM LIVE@EOCityHall
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