GREEN BAY, WI (WLUK) – The newly-minted Juneteenth federal holiday was marked in Green Bay Saturday with a picnic, parade and other events.
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers brought the news of freedom to enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas — two months after the Confederacy had surrendered. That was also about 2 1/2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves in the Southern states.
People were on the move in downtown Green Bay to make the city a more inclusive community this Juneteenth.
Cheers roared as Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach and City of Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich deemed Juneteenth as an official holiday.
In the crowd, Robyn Davis, president and CEO of Brown County United Way tells FOX 11 she sees a difference in Green Bay since the George Floyd protests last June.
“I have seen an openness to having the conversation more than ever before. An understanding of who we are as people, African American anyone in the community, that we have the same desires for our neighborhoods, for our families as anyone else does.”
Davis says more people have pledged with United Way to help end discriminations.
“We have a different flavor as you will and a different culture that is to be celebrated and we want to be able to celebrate along with the rest of the community.”
Markus Turner and his family are visiting from Central California. He was curious to see how the community is embracing the day.
“We just wanted to come and show that we are definitely in support of them doing this and putting this on and showcasing black excellence and momentous celebration for that occasion.
Bridget McCann is also here with her son — she wants him to recognize the true meaning of the holiday.
“As I tell my own children, freedom came in steps for all Americans. As we celebrate each different group and how they became full U.S. citizens with the same rights as anyone else.
And as a local social studies teacher, McCann tells FOX she recognizes history is being made.
“To show solidarity, I am really excited that they made Juneteenth a federal holiday.”
McCann and others hope to see even more participation in Juneteenth celebrations next year.
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