San Mateo County community leaders have called on residents to join in raising the Juneteenth flag in Redwood City, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States and offering a moment to reflect on the ongoing obstacles facing the African-American community.
“Juneteenth serves as a milestone and a moment of reflection in the fight for racial justice both past and present,” said Noelia Corzo, San Mateo County Supervisor for District Two and a member of the County’s Juneteenth Advisory Committee.
“As we commemorate Juneteenth, our County renews its commitment to addressing the challenges our African American residents and leaders continue to face as they live and work in our community. Juneteenth specifically exemplifies how critical it is that we hold ourselves accountable when intent and impact differ,” she stressed.
The Board of Supervisors at its May 23 meeting recognized June 19, 2023 as Juneteenth in San Mateo County.
On June 19, 1865, more than two years after President Lincoln declared all enslaved people free, Union Army troops marched into Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation and free the last enslaved African Americans in Texas.
Juneteenth is now a federally recognized national holiday.
The flag raising will take place this Tuesday, June 6th at 9:00 a.m. sharp, at 400 County Center in Redwood City.
Presenters will include Kalimah Salahuddin, trustee of the Jefferson Union High School Board and co-founder of the REACH Coalition; Noelia Corzo, supervisor of San Mateo County District Two; the Rev. Lorrie Carter Owens, president of the NAACP San Mateo branch; Jennifer Taylor Mendoza, president of the College of San Mateo; Dana Johnson, community activist, author, and documentary filmmaker; Q. Smith, vocalist; and Jacob Virges, spoken word performer.
The flag raising will be live-streamed on the county's Facebook page and the recording will be posted on the Juneteeth website. The site also includes resources such as the history of Juneteenth, a curated reading list from local libraries, and an archive of the county's past Juneteenth celebrations and panel discussions.
As a special event, the County Juneteenth Advisory Committee is screening a short film about the date and the African American experience, followed by a moderated discussion and refreshments.
The event will be next Wednesday, June 21 at 5:00 p.m. at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Community Space, located at 801 Jefferson Avenue in Redwood City. Space is limited, so please RSVP by giving your consent. click here.
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