KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — President Joe Biden signed a bill Wednesday making Juneteeth a national holiday. It’s a date that is already celebrated on June 19 in Kalamazoo.
“There are lots of events happening in Kalamazoo County. So I would like to encourage people to look some of those things up and go out and enjoy the events.” – Kalamazoo County Board Vice-Chair Tami Rae
On Friday, Governor Whitmer followed Biden’s lead, issuing a proclamation declaring June 19th as Juneteenth Celebration Day in Michigan.
“Juneteenth is an essential day of remembrance and a recognition of how far we still have to go to achieve our ideals of equity and racial justice in Michigan,” said Governor Whitmer. “Over the past year, we have had long-overdue conversations about race and equity amidst an unprecedented global pandemic and shocking yet routine instances of violence and discrimination towards communities of color, especially Black Americans. Our racial reckoning reminds us that it our responsibility, whether we are citizens or public servants, to change our laws and root out systemic racism in every aspect of our society from healthcare, housing, education, policing, and more. I’m proud to declare June 19 as Juneteenth Celebration Day once again and want to recommit us all to build a more equitable and just Michigan. ”
June 19th, 1865 was the date slaves in Texas learned about the Emancipation Proclamation, 2-1/2 years after President Abraham Lincoln signed it, which set them free. The new holiday will be called Juneteenth National Independence Day and becomes the 12th legal public holiday. A list of events to mark the holiday in the Kalamazoo area can be found on our website.
There will be a couple of virtual events sponsored by W.M.U. Friday. At 1:00 p.m. a presentation on slavery by Dr. Benjamin Wilson, and at 5:00 p.m. a spoken word performance by Leslé Honoré. Click here for the events.
Here are some events for Saturday, June 19th in Kalamazoo County:
- A solidarity march is planned at Celery Flats in Portage with opening remarks at 9:00 a.m. at the Grain Elevator.
- A celebration of Black Fathers sponsored by the Merze Tate Explorers at the Arcadia Creek Festival Site from noon to 6:00 p.m. with an art auction.
- You can register for a virtual paint party sponsored by the Black Arts Cultural Center that evening at 7:00 p.m..
- Branford Marsalis will be performing with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra at the Gilmore Car Museum in an open air concert at 8:00 p.m..
- A celebration called Statewide Kickoff will be celebrated locally by several organizations at 804 W. North Street at 6:00 p.m..
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