(COLUMBUS, OH – 6/19/23) – Last Sunday, CAIR-Ohio joined the Black American Muslim Community Center Columbus (BAM CCC), Muslim American Society (MAS Columbus), and Amanah Outsiders to commemorate Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, which was established as a federal holiday in 2021, celebrating the freedom of enslaved Black Americans.
On June 19, 1865, more than 250,000 enslaved Black people learned they were free after Union troops reach Galveston, Texas. This was two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
CAIR-Ohio joined community members at the Whetstone Park of Roses to celebrate the rich history of Black Americans, enjoy food, and discuss the importance of this holiday and how it came about. The fight for true liberation continues. Juneteenth, though pivotal, was not the ultimate liberation of Black people. It served as a reminder that progress often came too late, and the shackles of chattel slavery endured beyond its supposed end.
While Juneteenth holds immense importance, let it not be an isolated celebration. Black Americans have a rich history rooted in true liberation efforts, deserving of collective recognition.
Together, we can rebuild a land where freedom truly prevails—a legacy our descendants will inherit with pride.
