A mural located in downtown Green Bay at the corner of Pine and Quincy Streets. (Fox 11 Online)
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) — Today is Juneteenth, the celebration of the day the last group of slaves in the former confederacy learned of the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring them free.
Many in Green Bay are celebrating the news of Juneteenth becoming a national holiday.
There will be a few events happening around the city. Corey King is UW-Green Bay’s Vice Chancellor for University Inclusivity & Student Affairs.
“It’s always a good time when things happen that will move us forward with racial equality and social justice so better late than never,” said King.
King says he was proud of the bipartisan effort at the nation’s capitol to recognize Juneteenth as a federal holiday. 14 members of the house voted against it.
“I think to me this is a strong indication that people in our country want this to happen and it is important,” said King. “While there are descending opinions, justice prevailed.”
King says while there is still work to be done, it is a reason worth celebrating.
To celebrate the holiday there will be multiple events happening in the Green Bay area, including a free celebration at Murphy Park.
“Over the years we know more and more folks are choosing Green Bay as the place to call home and we know it’s becoming more diverse, so we think it’s long overdue we need spaces where we can feel free be free, connect with one another, build solidarity with one another,” said event organizer Stephanie Ortiz. Ortiz is a co-founder for Black Lives United-Green Bay.
The Black Lives United event will be featuring Black entrepreneurs and local music.
Across town, another celebration and march will be taking place downtown.
“It’s going to be about unity and love of all different nationalities, representing Juneteenth and what it really stands for which is freedom as black people,” said Sharon Harper, the executive director for the Junteenth parade and festival.
Downtown’s celebration will also include a proclamation by Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach, recognizing Juneteenth in Brown County. The proclamation will take palace at 9:30 a.m. at the corner of Pine and Quincy Streets. The parade and festival will follow.
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