A day of celebration originally in 1865, June 19, or Juneteenth as it came to be called, commemorates the day when Union Army General Gordon Granger read General Order No. 3 in Galveston, Texas, stating that all slaves were free and equal in personal and property rights with their former masters. Since that day, Juneteenth has evolved into a day of celebration and commemoration meant to honor the legacy of enslaved African Americans.
This year, Detroit is hosting a variety of celebrations, both city-sponsored and those created by local organizers, to honor the day. Here's a list of a few of those events:
- Launched at noon today, the Charles H. Wright Museum is one of six museums that is hosting a digital event in commemoration of Juneteenth at BLKFREEDOM.org.
- The city of Detroit is hosting a Freedom Rally at Spirit Plaza at 10 a.m.
- The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy has collaborated with D. Cipher to host "Arising: A Juneteenth Celebration" from 3 to 8 p.m. The event will be at the Campbell Terrace along the Dequindre Cut.
- Described as a "youth-led protest," Route to Growth, is being held at Detroit Police Department's Third Precinct from noon to 4 p.m.
- Detroit Action, an organization designed to work for black and brown working-class Detroiters, will debut its online event at 2 p.m. that will address systemic racism as well as provide solutions to stopping it. Michigan's Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist will also speak at the event about the current state of criminal justice reform.
