Winners of ALBB’s 2020 Juneteenth art contest, Cameron and Zora of Millennial_Matriarch and Blue Green Lawns.

Juneteenth is a critical time in Black History as it commemorates the emancipation of the last remaining enslaved African Americans in the Confederacy in 1865 - two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was formally issued. Juneteenth has been celebrated by Black people since the 1800s when it was referred to as “Jubilee Day” but the name changed to Juneteenth in 1890. Juneteenth is also known as Black Independence Day, Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, Juneteenth Independence Day or Juneteenth National Freedom Day.

In his daily press conference Wednesday, Governor Cuomo announced he's proposing to make Juneteenth a paid NY State holiday beginning 2021. There are currently 46 states that recognize Juneteenth as a holiday including Texas, the first state to pass this into law in 1979. At the June 15th City Council Meeting in Beacon, Mayor Lee Karyiacou declared Juneteenth official in Beacon.

Happening This Friday & Saturday

This weekend there will be several events to join your community and learn about the history of this date that is not often discussed in school.

See the fliers below, all designed by Beacon resident Justice McCray, from the group Beacon 4 BlackLives (@beacon4blacklives on Instagram). Here are the following events taking place in the lower and mid-Hudson Valley this weekend:

Beacon, NY

Juneteenth Celebration March/Protest
Day: Friday, June 19, 2020
Time: 6:30pm
Location: Meet at Pohill Park, Beacon, NY
An opportunity for community. March from Pohill Park to Memorial Park in Beacon.

Croton-on-Hudson, NY

Croton Black Lives Matter Protest
Day: Friday, June 19, 2020
Time: 3pm
Location: Vasallo Park, Croton-on-Hudson, NY
Organized by The Black Student Activists of Croton.

Newburgh, NY

March For Justice
Day: Friday, June 19, 2020
Time: 5-7pm
Location: Downing Park, Newburgh, NY (North side South St & 9W)
The members of the Youth Arts Group of Rural & Migrant Ministry, Inc. will lead a marchin support of the Black Lives Matter Movement. The march will start at Downing Park and it will at City Hall at 7pm.

Poughkeepsie, NY

Juneteenth Cookout Celebrating Freedom
Day: Friday, June 19, 2020
Time: 5:30pm
Location: Tubman Park, Poughkeepsie, NY
An opportunity to learn more about African American History. Any and all donations welcome - from food, silverware, plates, drinks, DJs, etc.

White Plains, NY

March For Justice & Change
Day: Saturday, June 20, 2020
Time: 6pm
Location: Greenburgh Town Hall, 177 Hillside Ave, White Plains, NY
Coming together for a peaceful protest. Wear masks, bring signs, bring water, social distance.