Kent Mayor Dana Ralph and Gwen Allen-Carston, executive director of the Kent Black Action Commission, raised the Juneteenth flag on Monday, June 17 at City Hall and proclaimed June 19 as Juneteenth in the city.
Ralph will read the official proclamation Tuesday evening, June 18 at the Kent City Council meeting.
In 1865, federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to announce the end of the Civil War and the end of slavery, according to the proclamation. Texas began the celebration of Juneteenth in 1866 with community events such as parades, cookouts, prayer gatherings, musical performances and historical cultural readings.
The Kent Black Action Commission will host a Juneteenth celebration from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 22 at Morrill Meadows Park, 10600 SE 248th St., on the East Hill.
“We acknowledge Black freedom and achievements within this community,” according to the proclamation that Ralph will read. “We would specifically like to recognize and offer thanks to the Kent Black Action Commission for their founding and continued work in the observance of Juneteenth and are grateful for their contributions to our city; and we appreciate the Black experience and celebrate the inclusion of all races, ethnicities and nationalities and we commit to working together to achieve equity for all.”
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