The celebration of Juneteenth comes during a revolutionary time in America, where hundreds of thousands protestors are emphasizing the importance of Black Lives and fighting for equity and tree freedom.
“Juneteenth, in my opinion, is the most significant day in African-American history,” said political organizer Carl Thomas, who is speaking at a Juneteenth rally at the African American Civil War Memorial in Northwest, D.C.”
While some Blacks learned of their freedom in 1863, or in some cases, before, on June 19, the final declaration of true independence from White slave masters was delivered to the slaves in Galveston, and thus, the day is meaningful to African American history and liberation.
As protestors fill streets nationwide and over the world, demanding just treatment of Black lives, many organizers, such as Thomas, or organizations like Long Live GoGo, are working to ensure people commemorate Juneteenth, while also galvanizing others to continue the fight for ultimate freedom and equity.
On June 19, Long Live GoGo will be hosting the “Million Moe March,” also being called, “The New March on Washington,” that will start at Black Lives Matter Plaza (near 16th and K Streets Northwest) and march to 14th and U Streets Northwest.
We want to talk about 155 years, when slavery was ‘abolished’- even though we’re facing a lot of issues of slavery to this day- we still want to recognize that day of Juneteenth of African Americans, and actually put down fourth of July, which gives independence to the White people who are not giving us any freedom and still systematically oppressing us,” said Long Live GoGo Executive Director Kelsye Adams.