San Diego (CNS)-To celebrate the diversity of the residents of San Diego, Mayor Todd Gloria joins Councillors Monica Montgomery Prairie and Mani von Wilpert, his black advisory group and members of the public The June festival was announced on Friday.

“June is the day when black slaves in this country realize their freedom,” Gloria said. “Although it is more than 100 years ago, our black community is still experiencing the traumatic effects of slavery and the remnants of its injustice.” Gloria said.

“I am very happy to see that we, as a city and a country, are taking steps to correct the mistakes made to our black community. The announcement of June Festival shows that we recognize and recognize the importance of celebrating freedom.”

June 19, 1865, was the day when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, and announced to more than 250,000 enslaved blacks that they were free under an executive order.

“As African-Americans, we must protect our culture and teach our history, including the true meaning of June Festival,” said Montgomery Prairie, the only black member of the San Diego City Council.

“In this country, there is a history of commercializing and diminishing the significance of historical events, and erasing African Americans from the history books.

“We are still fighting for the emancipation of all African Americans and the promise of a fair June. Today’s ceremony is not just a symbolic gesture of the city hall. It is about preserving our history and telling our own story.”

A bill that makes June Festival a federal holiday is Signed into law by President Joe Biden on Thursday.

On Friday, academics, activists and companies responded to the news.

“This is amazing, man,” said Makeda’Dread’ Cheatom, owner of World Beat Cafe. “Very surprising. I’m so happy. My parents, you know, they work very hard.”

Cheatom said her ancestry in Texas will be very proud of the emotion Juneteenth brings to this country.

“We are all together; none of us will be free,” she said.

Shane Harris, a local activist and president of the People’s Justice League, called this “a real opportunity, and we need to seize it as a nation.” He said this is a time when all races should be proud of their country.

“This moment is historic,” Harris said. “But the actions we take after this moment and the National Day that is being implemented are very important.”

Historically, the members of the 4th District Council and the San Diego Black Employees Association have celebrated June Festival at City Hall.

“It is so important that we commemorate the liberation of enslaved African Americans, and we use this anniversary to promote action,” von Wilpert said.

“Although we have come a long way, there is still a lot of work to be done in our country’s fight for racial justice.”

Last year marked the first time that a flag was hoisted at the City Hall to commemorate June Festival. This year will be the first time the flag has been raised at the City Hall.

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