Newton celebrates Juneteenth as ‘a day of freedom and reflection’ – The Boston Globe

Newton has an appetite for combating racial injustice, Adams said, but the racial reckoning the nation pushed for after George Floyds death is not complete.

Its important to move forward, while keeping the past in mind, he said.

Some attendees sat and watched the performances and speeches, while others grabbed a bite to eat from the Kreyol food truck or walked along the perimeter of the schools pickup and dropoff circle, stopping at tables to browse goods such as jewelry and art.

Juneteenth is such a special day. Im really glad to see the community show up, said Marie-France Noel, founder of lifestyle brand KADOKL.

Newton North High School student volunteer Sara Warner-Dorval said she thinks it was important for the government to recognize Juneteenth as a national holiday.

July 4 doesnt really represent freedom for the Black community, but June 19 is a day all Americans can celebrate, she said. I think a lot of people didnt really understand what Juneteenth was a couple years ago.

This years turnout was good, Warner-Dorval said, though she noted there were few high school students at the event.

Adams said engaging students is one of the Families Organizing for Racial Justices key challenges and an area of focus.

We have a great relationship with the schools, weve worked with various affinity groups, and we have really gone out of our way to expand our work to the greater Boston area.

Adams said Families Organizing for Racial Justice is looking to collaborate with surrounding communities on projects and expand its reach, so Black students in Newton can connect with other Black students from neighboring cities as well.

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when a Union Army officer arrived in Galveston, Texas, about two months after the war ended and notified Black people they had been freed from slavery.

Since President Biden signed Juneteenth into federal law on June 17 of last year, some school districts across the country have acknowledged the holiday for the first time. About half of the states in this country do not recognize Juneteenth as an official holiday.

To be fair, I never learned about it in school. I had to learn about it from my parents, Warner-Dorval said. But I think people know more about Juneteenth now than ever before, and thats a great thing.

Antonia Quinn can be reached at newtonreport@globe.com.

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Newton celebrates Juneteenth as 'a day of freedom and reflection' - The Boston Globe