Boston celebrates Juneteenth this Saturday in Franklin Park

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has extended an open invitation to all local communities to commemorate Juneteenth, the day of African American emancipation in the United States. The main celebrations will take place this Saturday, June 21, in Franklin Park, where the city will host a vibrant community event with free admission, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The event will take place in the Shattuck Picnic Grove and other park spaces, featuring picnics, barbecues, live music, traditional dances, and family activities to honor the freedom, history, and resilience of the Black community in Boston and across the country.

Juneteenth: A Historical Tour

Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce and enforce the liberation of the last enslaved African Americans in the Confederate States, more than two years after Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.

On that day, General Gordon Granger proclaimed General Order No. 3, declaring: “All enslaved people in Texas are free.” This news marked the true end of slavery in the United States., and Juneteenth has evolved into a day of reflection, cultural celebration, and activism for racial equity.

This Saturday's celebration is just the finale of a series of events that have been taking place throughout the week in Boston. On June 19, Mayor Wu participated in multiple commemorative events, including the moving ceremony hosted by The Embrace Boston, which she described as:

“A beautiful demonstration of everything that makes Boston’s Black community shine so brightly.”

At Harbor Point, Wu also held the fourth annual community event led by residents of the Harbor Point Apartments. There, she highlighted the importance of the local social fabric:

“Boston is fortunate to have such a close-knit community.”

In the evening, the mayor attended the Strand Theatre, where the Echoes of Freedom Awards were presented, recognizing leaders and artists who contribute to preserving the memory and cultural pride of the city's Black community.

Additionally, in Roxbury, Wu participated in the raising of the Juneteenth flag alongside its creator, Ben "Boston Ben" Haith, and the Boston Juneteenth Committee. Finally, he expressed his pride in attending the Black Fathers Brunch, held by the Office for the Advancement of Black Men:

“We honor the grandparents, parents, and children who continue to shape Boston’s communities.”

A future that honors the past

Since her administration, Mayor Wu has championed investments in programs that seek to promote racial and economic equity in Boston. Juneteenth not only commemorates freedom, but also inspires us to look to the future with renewed commitment.

This June 21, Franklin Park becomes a center of memory, culture, and hope, celebrating not only the end of slavery but also the vibrant life of a community that continues to contribute to the city with art, leadership, and unity.

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