Juneteenth in Vermont: What the holiday commemorates and where you can celebrate
In the next few days, Vermonters across the state will gather to celebrate Juneteenth, a holiday commemorating the Emancipation Proclamation.
In 2020, amid protests against police brutality and excessive force after the death of George Floyd, as well as renewed scrutiny of Confederate flags and monuments, the holiday has taken on a bigger importance and meaning.
What is Juneteenth?
On June 19, 1865, two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Emancipation Proclamation, Union soldiers led by Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, bearing news that the war had ended and the slaves were now free.
Despite Lincoln's proclamation, slave owners were responsible for telling the slaves that they were free. Some ignored that order until Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered in April 1865, allowing Union troops to effectively enforce the executive order, Cliff Robinson, founder of Juneteenth.com, told USA Today. Texas was the last Confederate state to have the proclamation announced.
Learn more: What is Juneteenth? Holiday marking Emancipation Proclamation takes on extra importance in 2020
Juneteenth history in Vermont
In 2008, Vermont became the 29th state in the nation to recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday. The state recognizes the holiday on the third Saturday of the month of June as "Juneteenth National Freedom Day."
"Hopefully people all over the state will celebrate this holiday now and recognize its significance," Shirley Boyd-Hill, chair of the state's Juneteenth Committee, said when the law was signed.
Events in Vermont coinciding with Juneteenth weekend
Champlain Valley Schools
What: All schools in the Champlain Valley School District will be raising Black Lives Matter flags.
When: Friday, June 19 at varying times
Where: Allen Brook School, Williston Central School, Charlotte Central School and Hinesburg Community School will begin at 8:40 a.m. Champlain Valley Union High School will begin at 8 a.m. Shelburne Community School will raise the flag at 3 p.m. following a student-led rally which begins at 2 p.m. at the Shelburne Town Green.
Burlington and Bennington
What: Vermont criminal defense attorneys will be gathering in solidarity with Black Lives Matter to demonstrate inequity and injustice in the criminal legal system.
When: 12 p.m. Friday, June 19
Where: The Burlington event will begin at the courthouse on Main Street and proceed up Battery Street, ending at the criminal courthouse on Cherry Street. The Bennington event will gather at the intersection of Main, North and South Streets.
Essex Junction
What:Essex Resists is hosting a vigil honoring those who died of police violence. Participants will stand on sidewalks holding signs regarding racism and police violence. Each attendee will receive an index card with the name of a Black American who has died of police violence and will read the names aloud simultaneously at 6 p.m.
When: 4:45 p.m. Friday, June 19
Where: The Five Corners in Essex Junction (the five-way intersection of Vermont 2A, Vermont 15, and Vermont 117)
Springfield
What: The Defend Black Lives Event will meet in the movie theater parking lot across the street from The Flying Crow coffee shop. "We have three demands: defund the police, invest in Black communities, and for Donald Trump to resign," reads the event website.
When: 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 19
Where: 6 Main St., Springfield
Montpelier
What:Remembering Juneteenth event at the Vermont Statehouse. Attendees should bring their own blanket and chairs for a picnic style event with food, poetry reading, music and dancing.
When: 6 p.m. Friday, June 19
Where: Vermont Statehouse, 115 State St., Montpelier
Burlington
What: Members of the Vermont motorcycle community will be gathering at the ECHO Center circle and riding through town. "Maybe loud pipes really can save lives; let's make some noise demanding an end to systemic racism and police brutality," reads the event on Facebook.
When: 11 a.m. Saturday, June 20
Where: Starting in front of the ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, 1 College St.
Clemmons Family Farm
What: Clemmons Family Farm in Charlotte will be hosting an interactive online event featuring Juneteenth history, storytelling and an aerial performance.
When: 3 p.m. Sunday, June 21
Where: The Clemmons Family Farm Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Contact Alek Fleury at afleury@freepressmedia.com or 201-906-8963.