JUNETEENTH

Caribbean rhythms will be pulsating throughout the Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia area (DMV) with the return of Hookie Weekend.

This will be the festival's first time in D.C. after Williams' falling out with Virginia Beach leadership.

A bill that would allow state employees to take the Juneteenth holiday or any other day instead of Confederate Memorial Day has unanimously passed the South Carolina Senate.

Almost four weeks into a new semester, University of Miami Student Government President Landon Coles and the 17 student government executive board members are working to adapt his initiatives for this school year. JuneteenthOne of Coles’ initiatives with significant support thus far is requesting the university recognize Juneteenth as an official holiday. The push to add June 19, a holiday to commemorate the emancipation of Black slaves, to the academic calendar for spring and summer 2022 will involve collaboration with multicultural organizations on campus, Coles said. The student government senate recently launched a survey about student sentiments on classroom space, congestion and safety. How student government initiatives are enactedThe department the liaisons collaborate with depends on what type of initiative is proposed.

Works that illuminate the intricacies of how we form communities and relate to one another: Your weekly guide to the best in books

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said he would recommend her portrait hang in the Senate chamber at the Texas Capitol.

Her perseverance led to the federal Juneteenth holiday

American actress and singer Vanessa Williams will perform the song "Lift Every Voice and Sing," which has become known as the "black national anthem," at the annual A Capitol Fourth televised celebration.

“As a social work educator I have never discriminated in any way towards any group of people,” the professor said after a screenshot of the post was shared online.

“As a social work educator I have never discriminated in any way towards any group of people,” the professor said after a screenshot of the post was shared online.

The organizations are using the recent Juneteenth celebration as motivation to continue helping local businesses.

The 14 House GOP members who voted against making Juneteenth a holiday should be treated as pariahs.

South Dakota is the only state that does not have a law to mark the celebration of Juneteenth.

The New York Police Department is investigating vandalism of a newly unveiled George Floyd statue in Brooklyn as a hate crime.

"To the group of neo-Nazis who did this, I want to be absolutely clear: get the hell out of our state," Governor Cuomo said.

The 6-foot-tall sculpture was scrawled with a URL affiliated with a white supremacist group.

The 6-foot-tall sculpture was scrawled with a URL affiliated with a white supremacist group.

A Message From The PublisherTwo people will not walk together unless they have agreed to do so. For the record, “I don’t need anyone or any human to free me.”I’m not going to belabor the issue and yes we’ve come a long way and hell yeah we got a long way to go. Most of the time the plans for fishing, hunting and any other venture for food is one sided and usually the walk or purpose is one-sided. There is a biblical scripture that states the only way for people to walk together is to agree. Maybe then and only then a celebration to understanding and acceptance is warranted from one because the other already knows his/her self-worth.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris held a signing ceremony, officially marking Juneteenth as a federal holiday. Because Juneteenth falls on a Saturday this year, workers are enjoying the new holiday one day early. “Black history is American history, and I am proud to stand alongside President Biden and my fellow congressional colleagues in reaffirming that sacred principle,” Congressional Black Caucus Chair Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio) stated. “While we rightfully celebrate this momentous moment today, the Congressional Black Caucus recognizes that the work to build a brighter tomorrow for Black Americans is far from over. President Biden and Vice President Harris had made it a mission of their administration to undo as much systemic racism and defeat White supremacy.

Around 20 Ikea employees called out from work over its Juneteenth menu, which some employees found racially insensitive.

Growing the Voices of Our FutureThe Westside Gazette Newspaper is honored to feature these editorial contributions made by local students. By Layla DavidsonLegislation has started to move quickly through Congress to establish Juneteenth, the National Independence Day, as a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the US. The bill powerfully passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday after the Senate passed the legislation on Tuesday with one accord. There had been some complications between Democrats and Republicans opposing this bill, but this did not stop President Biden from signing off on this legislation. Finally, as of June 18, Juneteenth is a federal holiday!

It included items generally considered racially insensitive, such as fried chicken and watermelon. Management is apologizing.

It included items generally considered racially insensitive, such as fried chicken and watermelon. Management is apologizing.

Why be concerned, asks Ken Ratley of Bedford? Gun safety training is available.

Related Urban awards M.E.Y.G.A (Multi-Ethnic Youth Group Association) Student Javaris Jackson a full scholarship to Miami Dade College.

Related Urban awards M.E.Y.G.A (Multi-Ethnic Youth Group Association) Student Javares Jackson a full scholarship to Miami Dade College.

A woman in Michigan who authorities say shot at a Flint police officer at a traffic checkpoint during a parade on Juneteenth and was struck when the officer returned fire has since died at the hospital

A bipartisan group of senators is waiting to hear from the president on its infrastructure proposal.

Economist and academic Glenn Loury on Sunday said the United States should “get beyond race” and reparations would be “disastrous” for the future of America.

A South Florida member of congress had a front row seat to history last week as the day the last enslaved people in the yet-to-be-United States became an eleventh federal holiday.

About a half hour earlier, deputies responded to a separate shooting near the same celebration.

The Smithsonian magazine had named the small Harriet Tubman Museum in Cape May, N.J., as one to watch in 2020.

Johnson said it would be too costly to give federal employees another day off, but conceded his efforts on Tuesday.

Juneteenth events are happening across the country, honoring the 156th anniversary of what is often considered the end of slavery in the United States.

From a bike ride in Miami Gardens to a parade in Deerfield Beach, events were held commemorating the day when enslaved Blacks in Galveston, Texas were finally freed.

Juneteenth acknowledgements and celebrations throughout Broward and Palm Beach counties Saturday included education, food, music, and spoken word.

Parades, picnics and lessons in history are all part of Juneteenth events in the U.S. The day is carrying even more significance after Congress and President Joe Biden created a federal holiday to commemorate the end of slavery.

Dodgers star pitcher Clayton Kershaw on racial inequality: Silence won't cut it. He vows to stand up for Black brothers and sisters, starting by listening.

According to a BuzzFeed News report, eight of the 14 GOP reps who opposed the creation of a new federal holiday for Juneteeth closed their office.

Rep. Ralph Norman was one of 14 Republicans who voted against the new federal holiday commemorating the day enslaved Black people were told they were free.

More than a century-and-a-half after slavery was abolished in the U.S., there remains an intense debate over whether the federal government should compensate the descendants of former slaves, in the form of reparations, and what form those reparations should take.

Opal Lee campaigned for years for a national holiday to commemorate the end of slavery in the US.

Opal Lee campaigned for years for a national holiday to commemorate the end of slavery in the US.

Summer arrives with trouble in the forecast, fathers and a historic day are celebrated, plus more news to start your weekend.

The storm was expected to dump anywhere from 5 inches to 10 inches of rain along parts of the Gulf Coast - even 15 inches in isolated areas,

The Trump campaign changed the date of the Tulsa rally after President Trump asked a Black Secret Service member about the meaning of Juneteenth.

General Gordon Granger, known for issuing the order now commemorated by Juneteenth, has ties to Kentucky.

“South Dakota is the only state in the Union that happens to have a 60-foot statue of the Great Emancipator carved into the side of a mountain, so I think South Dakota is a great place to celebrate Juneteenth,” said South Dakota state senator Reynold Nesiba. As the nation prepares for Juneteenth celebrations this weekend, many are reflecting on the long journey toward making a holiday founded in Texas and with deep regional ties to the Southwest into a nationwide observance.

Juneteenth traces itself to the day in 1865 — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation — that brought news of freedom to enslaved people in Galveston, Texas. Now a federal holiday, it's become more popular than ever.

Day off? Extra pay? Or business as usual? Federal workers usually get holidays off, but the short notice on Juneteenth has created some exceptions. And companies aren't required to observe holidays.

In a story June 18, 2021, story about companies facing pressure to offer a paid day off for Juneteenth, The Associated Press erroneously reported the name of the CEO of Ichor Strategies.

NASA is commemorating Juneteenth on Saturday (June 19) with a historic view from space.

Kansas and Missouri have divergent histories regarding slavery. How are they recognizing Juneteenth?

Vibe Guide: "Watchmen's" Cord Jefferson's Juneteenth recipe

It wasn’t the Emancipation Proclamation, but rather “General Order No. 3”

Black Americans are rejoicing after President Joe Biden signed legislation establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday.

Juneteenth is coming up, this weekend in fact -- and for those who might be unfamiliar, the holiday commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States.

While many Americans have a vast array of knowledge about Juneteenth, others don’t know as much about the holiday and the history behind it.

To celebrate the new federal holiday, we’ve rounded up Juneteenth events, parades, street parties, discussions, activities, and more that will be occurring across South Florida beginning Friday, June 18, up until Sunday, June 20.

President Joe Biden has signed legislation Thursday establishing a new federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery, saying he believes it will go down as one of the greatest honors he has as president.

The United States will soon have a new federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery.

Most of us are aware of Juneteenth, in that it exists, but there is so much history to know about the celebration.

It’s an occasion that’s recognized in most states and the District of Columbia, but it’s not as of yet a federal holiday.

The Senate has passed a bill that would make Juneteenth, or June 19th, a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery.

Did you realize that Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States?

Mark your calendars: Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, is set for Saturday.

Juneteenth, the holiday celebrating the day in 1865 that all enslaved Black people learned they had been freed, is often celebrated by families across the nation -- with events including cookouts, parades or community festivals.

He courted Hispanic voters near Miami and Black voters in Atlanta. “This is an unusual name for an organization whose ideology and tactics are right now destroying many Black lives,” Trump charged. On Friday morning, at his golf club in Doral, Florida, Trump tried to blunt Biden’s support among Hispanic voters at a “Latinos for Trump” roundtable. But a Monmouth University poll also conducted this month found Biden well ahead of Trump among Latino voters in the state, 58% to 32%. Hispanic voters in Florida tend to be somewhat more Republican-leaning than Hispanic voters nationwide because of the state’s Cuban American population, which Trump acknowledged several times in his remarks.

A person holds up a sign advocating for defunding the police as people gather to mark Juneteenth, Friday, June 19, 2020, in St. Louis. An outgrowth of the Defund the Police movement, the WFP Justice Fund is led by the Working Families Party and the Movement for Black Lives Electoral Justice Project. The result, they said, would be a shift in local government budgets and public safety systems around the country. For example, in Chicago's 2019 elections, WFP helped increase the council's Progressive Caucus to 18 seats out of the 50 total. In Washington, D.C., city council candidate Janeese Lewis George, backed by the Working Families Party, toppled an incumbent Democrat on a defunding platform and is in line to claim the seat in November.

FILE - In this June 19, 2020, file photo, protesters wear protective masks as they march after a Juneteenth rally outside the Brooklyn Museum, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. A loose network of Facebook groups that took root across the country in April to organize protests over coronavirus stay-at-home orders has become a hub of misinformation and conspiracies theories that have pivoted to a variety of new targets. Their latest: Black Lives Matter and the nationwide protests against racial injustice. (AP Photo/John Minchillo

(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)LOS ANGELES The Black national anthem was born more than a century ago, but the popular hymn within the African American community called Lift Every Voice and Sing has resurrected a beacon of hope during nationwide protests. The NAACP dubbed Lift Every Voice and Sing as the Black national anthem in 1919. Sharpton said the ability of Lift Every Voice and Sing enduring several generations speaks volumes. The NFL will play Lift Every Voice and Sing" before each game during Week 1, a person familiar with the discussions told The Associated Press. There's always been the controversy about race being involved in the national anthem.

(AP Photo/Jim Mone)MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota legislative leaders traded barbs Saturday after a special session collapsed with no deal on revamping policing following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, a session that one group called “a train wreck.”The two sides may be back at it in another special session next month. Walz said Saturday he was disappointed with the special session's failure and that his administration is planning its next steps. “The special session was a train wreck,” said Audrey Nelsen, president of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities and a Willmar City Council member. Instead we got arbitrary deadlines, broken deals and partisan battles.”Nelsen added: "“There is plenty of blame to go around for this disastrous special session. If Walz seeks to extend his emergency powers an additional 30 days, he's required to call another special session for July 12 to let lawmakers object.

President Donald Trump quickly tweeted about the toppling, calling out D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and writing: The DC police are not doing their job as they watched a statue be ripped down and burn. After the statue fell, most protesters returned peacefully to Lafayette Park near the White House. The Pike statue has been a source of controversy over the years. The former Confederate general was also a longtime influential leader of the Freemasons, who revere Pike and who paid for the statue. Ever since 1992, members of the DC Council have been calling on the federal govt to remove the statue of Confederate Albert Pike (a federal memorial on federal land).

I think now, more than ever, its important that we are open to one another, Heavyn Lee, a recent high school graduate, said. Lee and another graduate, Kamryn Walker, are looking forward to college in the fall. "We may buckle, but we do not ever give up, because this is the beginning of the end," Walker said. "Generation Z is all about getting the change as fast as possible and we want to see systemic racism end and are very loud about it," Lee said. This week, school board member Dr. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall, sponsored a policy to develop a curriculum addressing just that racism and cultural understanding.

The singer's website says the song released late Friday, June 19, 2020, will benefit black-owned small businesses. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)TOP OF THE HOUR: Beyonc releases new single to benefit Black-owned small businesses. Nevada officials renew proposal to remove statue of McCarran. ___LOS ANGELES Beyonc did not let Juneteenth pass without dropping one of her signature surprises in the form a new single called Black Parade.The singers website says the song released late Friday will benefit Black-owned small businesses. Make America great again give me the date that America was great for everybody, Sharpton said.

Juneteenth, which takes place June 19 each year, is the name for the date in 1865 when Union soldiers freed the remaining slaves in Texas, enforcing the Emancipation Proclamation.

A pedestrian passes a colorful painted tribute to George Floyd on a boarded-up business, Thursday, June 18, 2020 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)TOP OF THE HOUR:— Nevada officials renew proposal to remove statue of McCarran. The organization said the letter was inspired by the recent protests against police brutality and systemic racism. St. Louis and its surrounding suburbs have been the site of dozens of marches in the nearly four weeks since the death of George Floyd in Minnesota. A small African American boy, marching with his mom, held a sign that read, “Am I next?”___More news about the death of George Floyd at https://apnews.com/GeorgeFloyd

Miami – The Miami Heat are hosting a virtual town hall on Juneteenth, the holiday celebrating the end of slavery in the United States. On Thursday night, the Heat released a 4:43 second video on their social media platforms. In it, players share their experiences and reactions to the racial injustice in the United States. Space is limited for the town hall and will be given on a first come, first served basis. The town hall will be at 4 p.m. Friday.

Juneteenth, the holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States, originated 155 years ago. (Stuart Villanueva/The Galveston County Daily News via AP, File)Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:1. YOUNG IMMIGRANTS STILL FACE UNCERTAINTY The Supreme Court rejected Trumps effort to end legal protections for 650,000 young immigrants, but activists say legislation giving them a path to U.S. citizenship remains elusive. SINGAPORE OPENS GYMS, DINING OUT The latest relaxation in the city-state comes as reopenings in many places around the world are touching off fresh spikes in coronavirus infections. BIDEN SEIZES ON BOLTON BOOK The Democrats top aides say Trump kowtowed to Xi Jinping and ignored human rights abuses while trying to get the Chinese presidents assistance with domestic politics.

NEW YORK A never-before-heard solo version of the late Aretha Franklins riveting and powerful collaboration with Mary J. Blige about faith and race, 2006s Never Gonna Break My Faith, has arrived on Juneteenth. Never Gonna Break My Faith resonates today, featuring lyrics like: You can lie to a child with a smiling face/Tell me that color aint about a race.The world is very different now. It deserves to be an anthem.Never Gonna Break My Faith won best gospel performance at the 50th Grammy Awards in 2008, marking Franklins 18th and final Grammy win. This solo version has been sitting on my computer for years, and when I heard Clive was making a film on Arethas life, I sent this version to him. Im so glad its being released, the world needs this right now.

The date - June 19th - is not a federal holiday, and many non-black Americans have only recently become of aware of the day. Several of her employees are spending the day volunteering for the Juneteenth Freedom Phonebank, an initiative encouraging Census participation. Declaring the date a federal holiday would add considerable momentum, and there is growing support for the idea. Sen. John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, introduced legislation Thursday to make Juneteenth a federal holiday. In contrast, 93% of employers close on Independence day, with similar rates for Labor Day, Christmas Day and Thanksgiving.

LAUDERDALE LAKES, Fla. A Drive to Justice is taking place from Lauderdale Lakes to Fort Lauderdale on Friday in celebration of Juneteenth. This one began at noon and heads to Huizenga Park, where there will be a rally. Were not going to stand around and watch this anymore, Pastor Dennis Grant, one of the local organizers said. Too many black lives are being taken, and each time we demonstrate and each time we protest it calms down. This time were here to stay until the authorities understand that black lives matter.Stay tuned to Local 10 for coverage of Juneteenth celebrations and rallies across South Florida and the nation.

Weve never posted about Juneteenth, but it is always the right time to do better than before," read a tweet posted by the New England Patriots. The Miami Heat celebrated the day with a pledge to make financial contributions and other commitments to organizations trying to eliminate racial inequality. Hockey's San Jose Sharks told fans that it was fine to not know where to start when it comes to understanding the significance of Juneteenth. In recognition of Juneteenth, our front office is starting a new tradition," read a statement on the Sharks' site. As an organization, we will be dedicating time on this day each year to actively participate in Juneteenth.

In just about any other year, Juneteenth, the holiday celebrating the day in 1865 that all enslaved black people learned they had been freed from bondage, would be marked with a cookout, a parade, or a community festival. But Juneteenth 2020 will be a day of protest in may places Friday, June 19. The day is recognized in 47 states and the District of Columbia, according to the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation. Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order recognizing Juneteenth as a paid holiday for state employees. So Juneteenth is a celebratory event but were not celebrating the country.

Rhonda Thomas, of the New Generation Baptist Church in Opa-locka, said Fridays Juneteenth will be marked with public memorial services and marches in South Florida. Juneteenth, a nationwide event, is also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Cel-Liberation Day and the Black Fourth of July. Yates (L) and his sister Daijha Yates, members of Child of God, sing during the Juneteenth, Black Independence Day celebrations at Nichol Park on June 19, 2004 in Richmond, California. Here is the list of events in South Florida:Broward County: 6:15 p.m. at Ingalls Park, 735 SW First St., in Hallandale Beach. South Miami-Dade: 12 p.m. at Second Baptist Church, 11111 Pinkston St., in Richmond Heights.

ALBANY, N.Y. New Yorks governor signed an executive order Wednesday recognizing Juneteenth as a paid holiday for state employees to commemorate the emancipation of slaves in the U.S.Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he will propose legislation next year making June 19 a permanent state holiday. Texas was the first to make it a state holiday, in 1980. Virginia's governor proposed making Juneteenth a state holiday there earlier this week. President Abraham Lincoln first issued the Emancipation Proclamation declaring all slaves free in Confederate territory on Sept. 22, 1862, but the news took time to travel.

This combination of cover images show, from left, Rough and Rowdy Ways," by Bob Dylan, "Homegrown," a release by Neil Young and "Bigger Love" by John Legend. Peoples film will debut Friday on-demand on Juneteenth, the annual holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. Miss Juneteenth isnt about that history but the contemporary African American struggle to remain in the middle class. AP Film Writer Jake CoyleMUSICBob Dylan: Its been eight years since the legend Bob Dylan released an album of original material. Neil Young: Neil Young also has a new album out on Friday, though he finished it 45 years ago.

Trump had scheduled the rally for June 19, known as Juneteenth because it marks the end of slavery in the United States. He didn't see it as disrespectful to be able to do it on Juneteenth, Lankford said. Other people interpreted it differently and so he moved the rally date.Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., said he was thankful that Trump rescheduled the rally. But Trump's campaign was aware, according to two campaign officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to disclose internal discussions. Although selecting June 19 was not meant to be incendiary, some pushback was expected, the Trump campaign officials said.

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump said Friday that he is rescheduling his first campaign rally in months to a day later so it won't conflict with the Juneteenth observance of the end of slavery in the United States. Trump had scheduled the rally his first since early March for June 19 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Black leaders said it was offensive for Trump to pick that day and that place, a city that in 1921 was the site of a fiery and orchestrated white-on-black attack. Trump tweeted late Friday, Many of my African American friends and supporters have reached out to suggest that we consider changing the date out of respect for this Holiday." He said he is moving the rally to June 20 to honor their requests.Trump's signature rallies often draw tens of thousands of people but have been on hiatus since March 2 because of the coronavirus pandemic, which has now killed more than 110,000 people in the U.S.

The NFL plans to recognize Juneteenth as a league holiday. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell made the announcement to league employees on Friday in an internal memo obtained by The Associated Press. Juneteenth is considered the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. Colin Kaepernick began raising awareness for these problems by kneeling during the national anthem in 2016. Juneteenth not only marks the end of slavery in the United States, but it also symbolizes freedom a freedom that was delayed, and brutally resisted; and though decades of progress followed, a freedom for which we must continue to fight.___More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

Although slavery was already abolished more than two years earlier by the Emancipation Proclamation, it continued in some areas. Some businesses have professed support for the Black Lives Matter movement or pledged to donate money to organizations. Others have promised to hire more black workers or make other policy changes. This week, Nike CEO John Donahoe told workers they would get Juneteenth off starting this year as a way to celebrate black culture and history. The power of this historical feat in our countrys blemished history is felt each year," Goodell wrote in a memo.