The U.S. Senate unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday that would make Juneteenth a legal public holiday. KSUT’s Sarah Flower spoke with Tarecka Payne, Assistant Director of the Diversity Collaborative at Fort Lewis College about how this event will be celebrated locally on Saturday.
Story Transcript:
Sarah Flower 00:00
June 19, 1865 was the day federal troops went to Galveston, Texas to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people were free. That day came two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Now, Juneteenth is celebrated as a national public holiday. This Saturday the Southwest Movement for Black Lives, and Durango Peace and Justice are hosting the second annual Juneteenth Celebration from 2 to 4 PM at Rotary Park in Durango. Fort Lewis College will play a role in the education of Juneteenth happening at 11 AM at the Fort Lewis College Amphitheater where all community members are invited to attend. Tarecka Payne is the Assistant Director of the Diversity Collaborative at Fort Lewis. She says it's important for events like Juneteenth to be celebrated by the entire community.
Tarecka Payne 00:54
It's making sure that we're acknowledging those different things that make our community special, because we have so many colorful voices out here representing what makes up Durango. And so this is our opportunity to really celebrate another component of Durango and that would be our Black community.
Sarah Flower 01:14
Payne says Saturday's Black led event hopes to grow the Black community by celebrating and featuring the history, the soul food, the music, the crafts, and the community. For KSUT, I'm Sarah Flower.