LYNNWOOD—Lynnwood City Councilwoman Chelsea Wright read a proclamation at Council’s Business Meeting Monday, June 8, recognizing Juneteenth in the City of Lynnwood – a federal holiday which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.
Arizona Proctor, President of the Delta Psi Sigma chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. (based out of Seattle), thanked council, and Mayor Hurst, for signing the proclamation in what she called a “historic day.”
“Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom, resilience, and hope. It’s also a reminder that progress requires continued commitment, service and community partnership,” said Proctor. “We are honored to accept this proclamation and grateful to the City of Lynnwood and that you recognize the contributions of organizations and individuals working to uplift our communities through education, civic engagement, health initiatives and youth development.”
Wally Webster II, founder of the ACCESS Project, followed Proctor by reminding the crowd that Juneteenth is not just about ‘Afro-American history’ – it’s about American History adding that the proclamation demonstrates the commitment, and acknowledgement, that Lynnwood is making to justice, equality, for all and not just for a few.
“Let’s demonstrate the true meaning of this proclamation throughout the work that we all are doing in this city,” said Webster II. “Thank you for the recognition, thank you for acknowledging the history, and the future of our city.”
Pa Ousman Woof, Executive Director for the Washington West African Center, shared that the reading of the proclamation reminded him of a trip to Senegal a year and-a-half ago where he stood in front of the Door of No Return – the last place slaves passed through to be taken to the West Indies and Americas, never to return to Africa.
Dr. Steve Woodard, Mayor of Mountlake Terrace, recognized his own city’s achievement – now, for the first time in Mountlake Terrace history, having a majority BIPOC-led council and a majority women-led council, adding that it’s proclamations like Lynnwood’s that make things like that possible.
Frederick Brooks, Owner of Sound Sports Performance Training in Lynnwood, was last to speak sharing how he grew up celebrating Juneteenth in Texas prior to relocating to Lynnwood, via the military, and how blessed he felt to see the city where he decided to set up his business honor the same tradition.
Juneteenth background
In 1619, twenty captured Africans were brought to Virginia as enslaved people, ushering in 246 years of slavery in America. By 1680 as the number of indentured laborers of European descent declined, the enslavement of Africans was widely accepted, and the labor of these human souls became highly profitable in the United States, specifically Southern states.
The Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 issued by President Abraham Lincoln freed enslaved people in the 11 Confederate states at war against the Union; however, it wasn’t until December of 1865 when Congress required the Confederate states to ratify the 13th Amendment, thereby abolishing chattel slavery and involuntary servitude.
Still, slavery remained relatively unaffected in Texas until June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to take control of the state and freed all enslaved people.
Juneteenth is a commemoration of June 19th, 1865, and is now celebrated in many communities in the United States with cookouts, parades, prayer services, and poetry readings.
Juneteenth is a time to reflect on the injustice endured by the men, women, and children of African descent brought to this nation against their will, but whose legacy of determination to live free paved the way for our continued fight for justice.
The City of Lynnwood will honor the legacy of Black and African American ancestors by continuing its commitment to cultivate a community where it has a sense of belonging and feel included, valued and welcome.
Snohomish County will observe Juneteenth with two free community celebrations—Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration in Lynnwood on June 19 and Juneteenth Community Celebration on June 20. Both Lynnwood events are open to the public at no charge.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
