Southern California will host numerous events today to commemorate Juneteenth.
Juneteenth marks the end of slavery in the United States. It was on June 19th, 1865 when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that all enslaved people were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln.
One of the largest gatherings will be in Leimert Park, where attendees can enjoy cultural programming such as a women’s drum circle, jazz band performances, line dancing, and DJ sets.
In Pacoima, the annual “Opal’s Walk for Freedom” will start at 6 a.m. at Hillery T. Broadous Elementary School, concluding at Pacoima City Hall. This event is named after Opal Lee, known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” who campaigned for the day to become a federal holiday.
Other celebrations include a luncheon by the Altadena Historical Society at Loma Alta Park, featuring a preview of the “Faces of Resilience” oral history project. In Palmdale, Poncitlán Square will host live music, a classic car show, and family-friendly activities.
Manhattan Beach will see speeches by Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell and Mayor Amy Thomas Howorth at Bruce’s Beach Park. The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and La Brea Tar Pits will offer free admission from 3 to 5 p.m.
The Ferris wheel at Santa Monica Pier will light up in colors representing the Juneteenth and Pan-African flags. In Irvine, Pretend City Children’s Museum will host events for kids.
According to ABC7, these events are part of a broader effort to honor the legacy of freedom and promote community unity across the region.
Recent Comments