Category Archives: Freedom

ANALYSIS/OPINION:

Last month at a policy summit for the American Federation for Children, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos heralded the advent of the most ambitious expansion of education choice in our nations history. President Trump, she said, was committed to empowering parents to make the best choices for their kids education.

One major step Congress could take to make this pledge a reality is to let Impact Aid federal funds now sent to public schools near military bases flow directly to the children of military families. If these funds were distributed to education savings accounts (ESAs), military families should then be able to spend it on the services, products and providers they determine are best suited to meet their childrens educational needs.

There is constitutional warrant to justify this type of program. After all, the life and support of military families is a crucial part of our national defense an enumerated power of the federal government.

Providing school choice to military families strengthens us all. When military families are given high-quality education options, it benefits their children and the life and security of the nation as a whole.

The quality of education available to children of those in uniform affects military readiness. Lack of access to good quality schools can be a determining factor in the decision of service members on whether they will accept a new assignment or even leave military service altogether.

A recent survey conducted by Military Times found that 35 percent of respondents said dissatisfaction with their childs education was a significant factor in their decision to remain in or leave military service.

The Pentagons changes to policy in 2016 enabling families to remain at duty stations for longer time periods was a direct response to complaints by military parents who are loathe to move if the next duty station has poorly performing schools.

Those complaints may stem from the fact that military-connected children are too often assigned to the public schools closest to military bases, regardless of whether those district schools are right for them. As a result, 80 percent of the 1.2 million military-connected school-aged children attend traditional public schools, and 4 percent attend Department of Defense schools located on base. More than half of children of active-duty military families live in states with no school choice options at all.

Like their civilian-family counterparts, children of military families deserve a choice in where they attend school. One of the best ways to advance choice is through innovative Education Savings Accounts.

ESAs are parent-controlled accounts funded with a portion (usually 90 percent) of what a given state would have spent on a child in the district school system. Across the U.S., five states have established ESA options: Arizona, Florida, Tennessee, Mississippi and Nevada.

In Arizona, funds are deposited quarterly into the ESA (going onto a debit card). Parents can then direct those funds to any education-related service, product or provider. They may be used to pay for private school tuition, online learning, special education services and therapies, private tutors, textbooks, curricula and any other education-related services of their choice. Parents are using the flexibility of ESAs to customize educational experiences for their children. Nearly one-third of parents in Arizona use their ESAs to craft a fully la carte educational program.

To ensure that those who serve in the military are able to access education options that serve them in the best way possible, federal policymakers should work to empower them with education choice. Transitioning Impact Aid funding into parent-controlled education savings accounts would ensure that the federal program serves military families as well as they serve us.

Anne Ryland is a research assistant in the Heritage Foundations Center for Education Policy. The Centers director, Lindsey Burke, is the think tanks Will Skillman Fellow in Education Studies.

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School choice for military families: Educational freedom for those who secure our freedom - Washington Times

Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., has given President Trump a grand opportunity to do something he has yet to do in his first months in office: make significant progress on religious freedom for persecuted Christians and other religious minorities around the world. With the recent passage of the Iraq and Syria Genocide Emergency Relief and Accountability Act (HR 390) by the House of Representatives, the President is well-positioned to make a bold move to stabilize the region.

If passed by the Senate, the Iraq and Syria Genocide Emergency Relief and Accountability Act will provide relief to those victimized by the ongoing genocide, human rights violations and war crimes by terrorist groups. But it is perhaps the secondary effects of this bill that will lead to the most powerful and lasting impact.

HR 390 allows the U.S. to assist in the reestablishment of Christian, Yazidi and other minority communities in the Middle East, which are central to the survival of a pluralistic and open societya giant slap in the face to the stated goal of ISIS to drive out all those who do not embrace their savage ideology. It also gives hundreds of thousands of refugees the opportunity to return to their homes instead of seeking refugee status in the West or risking dangerous journeys to enter Europe in desperation. And to be sure, as we often witness firsthand at Open Doors through our work on the ground in Iraq and Syria, many Christians wish to remain in their homeland and would do so if they had not lost hope after years without resources, as the world turns a blind eye to their plight.

Open Doors USA ranks Syria and Iraq at number 6 and 7 respectively on our World Watch List of the most difficult places for Christians. The need to protect and establish Christian and Yazidi communities in this region is urgent.

The question that ought to occur to the President and members of the Senate is why this kind of bill was not passed years ago. The answer lies in the Obama administrations sluggish admission of the genocide against these populations. Faulty crisis mapping at the State Department, or perhaps political maneuvering in the White House, held the administration back from acknowledging the religious nature of these attacks on persecuted Christians and other religious minorities. This happened despite ISIS plainly stating its goal to drive out Christians, Yazidis and many other sects. Fearful of inciting religious tensions, they played directly to the hands of the terrorists. Now the Christian population of Iraq is a fraction of what it was just a few years ago. At one point it was around 1.5 millionnow somewhere fewer than 200,000, with census details obviously hard to come by. But with the acknowledgement last year by the U.S., EU and others of the genocide against these groups, action must now be taken to assist and help establish Christians and Yazidis remaining in their homelands.

The mass exodus of Christians from the region is one of the reasons Open Doors has launched a campaign in consultation with Christians from Iraq and Syria, titled One Million Voices of Hope for the Middle East. We have developed core policy recommendations designed to help restore hope and stability in the region, enabling and empowering the Christian community and other at-risk religious minorities to return and contribute to the rebuilding of their homelands. Without the return of the Christian community, both Syria and Iraq risk losing a key influence for the future of the regionnot only in overall stability, but also in economic development, education, health care, and peace building and reconciliation efforts.

Evangelical Christian voters seem to have been patient with the President thus far on international religious liberty issues, as they were with President Obama. But with the lack of key appointments in the State Department on religious libertythere has been no whisper of a new ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, and rumor has it that it could be empty until at least the fall of this yearthat patience will not last forever. The Presidents enthusiastic words on religious freedom around the world, and the importance of helping persecuted Christians, must to be met with action. Expediting this bill in the Senate and signing it swiftly would be a great victory for the Presidents stated agenda.

As CEO of Open Doors USA, which ranks Syria and Iraq at number 6 and 7 respectively on our World Watch List of the most difficult places for Christians, I know the urgent need to protect and establish Christian and Yazidi communities in this region. For many years we have noted the sharp rise in persecution and sought to attend to the needs of these embattled communities.

Without these strong minority faith communities, the terrorists will have won their stated goal.We cannot allow this to happennot only for the potential consequences of future movements along similar lines, but for the human toll that will play out for years to come on those communities that have existed since the time of Christ, and which are now lying fallow and empty.

In the north of Iraq and around the margins of Syria are hundreds of thousands of Christians and other religious minorities who are wondering if the world has forgotten their pain. We shall soon know the answer to that question. Lets prioritize this crucial bill to assist victims of the genocide and begin the resettling of these brave, integral and historic communities. The Iraq and Syria Genocide Emergency Relief and Accountability Act offers a powerful opportunity for this administration to back their words with action.

David Curry is the President of Open Doors USA. Each year, Open Doors releases its World Watch List, a ranking of the 50 countries where Christian persecution is worst.

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For Christians in Syria and Iraq, Trump's enthusiastic words on religious freedom must be met with action - Fox News

ISTANBUL

In a packed Istanbul courthouse the trial of 17 journalists, accused of being involved in Julys failed coup, got underway Monday. All are facing long sentences, including life if convicted.

Prosecutors allege the journalists belong to a network of followers of the U.S.-based Turkish Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen, who Turkey's government blames for the coup attempt.

Nazli Ilicak is a leading newspaper columnist who rejected the accusations, telling the court she was a supporter of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan before he came to power and spent her life opposing coups, pointing out her father was a senior minister who had been jailed following a 1960 military takeover.

The 74-year-old Ilicak, along with Mehmet and Ahmet Altan, are among the most high-profile writers and journalists facing prosecution. All have been held for months in pre-trial detention.

The first three hours of Mondays hearing was taken up reading the more than 200-page indictment. Much of the cited evidence made no reference to the journalists activities, but focused on the cleric Gulen. Prosecutors claimed holding accounts in an alleged Gulen bank and possession of $1 bills was evidence of being part of the clerics secret network and involvement in the coup.

International criticism

Even before the case started the quality of the evidence drew withering international condemnation.

This trial marks a new level in the growing absurdity of the charges being brought against journalists, wrote the Paris-based Reporters without Borders, an organization that defends media freedom.

Many international and national human rights groups attended Mondays hearings.

"It's very concerning people are really facing serious charges, with potentially three life sentences on the basis of very, very little evidence of criminal acts, and that's really worrying, warned Amnesty Internationals Milena Buyum, speaking after attending the first day of hearings,

You have pages of pages of references of articles written by Ahmet Altan, comments he, and his brother [Mehmet] and Nazli ilicak made on a TV program on the day before the military coup. They were making political commentary entirely protected under the right of freedom of expression, added Buyum.

Human rights groups accuse Turkey of being the world's worst jailer of journalists, with more than 170 incarcerated since the post-coup crackdown. Mondays hearing is likely to only add to questions over the legitimacy of that crackdown.

A very legitimate task of trying to bring coup plotters to justice has been completely lost in a mass purge of those the government does not like claims Emma Sinclair Webb, Turkey researcher of the U.S.-based Human Rights Watch.

It has become a lawless indiscriminate prosecution, just going after anyone who in this frenzied crackdown the government thinks is good to get off the scene, to get rid of, Webb said.

Truth is the victim

But before the trial Erdogan dismissed such criticism.

"Whenever we go abroad, Western media outlets come up with the same argument, claiming there are many detained journalists in Turkey. However, according to figures from our Ministry, only two people out of 177 who identify themselves as journalists are holders of a press card. In addition, one of these persons is currently in jail for murder and the others for their involvement in terrorist organizations," Erdogan said in a speech Saturday to national media heads.

The president went on to warn there would be no let up in the crackdown.

I see no difference between those who sell their news headlines with the instructions of a terrorist organization and those who take to the mountains with a gun in their hands, said Erdogan.

Last month, Erdogan warned there would be no ending of the current state of emergency introduced after the coup, siting ongoing terrorist threats and the need to restore economic prosperity.

The Turkish presidents comments on the media drew a swift rebuke.

We got used to such statements [by Erdogan]. Let everyone say whatever they want. The jailed journalists are inside because of their journalistic activities, because they chase the news, because they chase the truth, Pinar Turenc, the head of Turkish Press Council, said.

But with some of the countrys prominent writers and journalists facing decades in jail, human rights groups warn many reporters may well now think twice about chasing the truth.

This trial [Monday] along with others has a chilling effect warns Amnesty Internationals Buyum, It sends a message to the rest of society, to other journalists expressing your opinion, being critical of power can end you up in this situation.

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Journalists' Trial Puts Spotlight on Media Freedom in Turkey - Voice of America

Florence Freedom players sign autographs for kids after their home game on June 18.(Photo: The Enquirer/ James Weber)Buy Photo

FLORENCE - Normally, when a baseball team is about to embark on a grueling stretch of 15 road games out of 18, you wouldnt blame those players for being anxious.

Anxiety is minimal with the Florence Freedom this year. The professional baseball team has been road warriors so far in the 2017 season, which makes manager Dennis Pelfrey optimistic as the team nears a tough stretch of travel.

We prepare pretty well, Pelfrey said. At home, were more lax. On the road, our guys are very diligent about what were doing. They focus on baseball.

The Freedom are 22-11 after June 18, and 13-2 on the road, as they entered the stretch of travel, which began June 20 in Normal. Florence plays River City at home June 27-29, its only three home games from now until July 14, their first game after the Frontier League All-Star break.

They beat Joliet 6-3 at home June 18, a game which was slightly against the norm of its results this year. The Freedom improved to 9-9 at home, UC Health Stadium.

Florence has a five-game lead on two teams in its West Division, who are 17-16. Florence is 16-2 against West Division foes this season. The win over Joliet was only its sixth in 15 games against the East Division. The league has 12 teams.

The current record is majorly atypical of Pelfreys tenure in Florence so far, in his third season. His first two years, the team was well under .500 in the first half of the season before becoming one of the best teams in the league the second half. In 2015, Florence rallied to make the playoffs.

Pelfrey attributes the success to a strong core of returning players, and hisstaff, led by hitting coach Zac Mitchell and pitching coach Bryan White.

Last year we didnt really know what was going on, Pelfrey said. We thought we had a good team; we just werent playing to our potential. Defense and pitching killed us early, then we put it together and made a nice run at the end. With (Mitchell and White), our main focus was getting off to a good start, which we did.

Entering play June 18, the Freedom were within a few runs of the Frontier League leaders in total runs scored and allowed.

The Freedom have arguably the best offense in the league, hitting .300 as a team and averaging six runs per game. Five regulars are hitting over .300, including Andre Mercurio at .380 and Daniel Fraga at .355.

Mercurio was third in the league in hitting on June 18. Jose Brizuela leads the team with six home runs and 30 RBI, which is tied for second in the league.

Taylor Oldham, who returned to the Freedom last week after being a Frontier League All-Star with the Freedom in 2016, stepped into the No. 2 slot in the order. He hit .324 last year with 14 homers and 65 RBI for the Freedom.

Mike Morris, a Sycamore graduate, is an outfielder and the only local product currently on the roster.

The team is built to be explosive offensively, Pelfrey said. We should be a little better defensively than we are. Were right in the middle of the pack. Weve made a few miscues that typically our guys wont make. Every night, we have the ability to put up 10 or 15 runs because we get so many baserunners. I think we lead the league in walks. We do a lot of things on the bases. We were a hit or two away from breaking this game open (June 18). We have the ability to do that every night, which is awesome to watch.

On the mound, the team has an ERA of 3.53. Jordan Kraus (5-2, 2.64) and Tony Vocca (4-2, 2.54) have been outstanding, as has been Cody Gray (5-1, 3.56). Logan Longwirth had a 3-0 record in as many starts and 2.45 ERA before being signed with the Colorado Rockies organization. Pete Levitt was a standout reliever but was released to make room for Oldham.

Were going to find some of these college arms that didnt get drafted that can help us continue winning, and hopefully well be in the postseason at the end, Pelfrey said.

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Explosive offense leads Freedom to first place - Cincinnati.com

VALDOSTA On June 19, 1865, Union Gen. Gordon Granger and 2,000 federal troops marched into Galveston, Texas, to take possession of the state and enforce the emancipation of its slaves.

President Abraham Lincoln had issued the famed Emancipation Proclamation two years earlier, but it wasnt until Granger arrived in Texas that the law was fully enforced in all parts of the South

June 19 has been a celebration of freedom ever since. Known as Juneteenth and observed all across the country, it is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.

Saturday, residents gathered at the courthouse square in downtown Valdosta to join in on the celebration with Community Awareness Day.

The event featured a festival-like atmosphere, including fun activities, comfort food and sweet treats, dance performances, proclamations from Valdosta and Lowndes County officials and the chance to learn about local organizations.

Dr. Beverly Richardson-Blake, a coordinator of the event, said the day was all about imparting knowledge and promoting unity.

Juneteenth sometimes referred to as the African-American Fourth of July has been celebrated locally for the past 25 years, but many still dont know its history.

Debbie Smith had a tent set up at the event and was selling a little of this and a little of that: clothes, purses, jewelry, even fidget spinners, the hottest new toy.

Smith, 35, is African-American but said she never knew what Juneteenth actually celebrated until recently. She always thought it was just a fun summer holiday.

It wasnt until last year when a friend told her of the days historic and meaningful beginnings. As kids played in a colorful bounce house nearby, Smith said its important to teach people the important history of Juneteenth at a young age.

Richardson-Blake agreed, saying Community Awareness Day was meant to help people understand the meaning of Juneteenth and its significance in the community.

It is a day of freedom, she said as Walking on Sunshine by Katrina & The Waves blared across the square. I think back to my ancestors, some of the difficulties that they went through. While were not faced with all of those today, there are still some struggles that we need to overcome.

So were still working in that direction of becoming free. Its a critical holiday. Its good to look back and see how far we have come and then look ahead and see how much farther we have to go.

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Commemorating Freedom - Valdosta Daily Times

MyPalmBeachPost (blog)

Did firm that designed WPB office tower steal design on Freedom Tower? MyPalmBeachPost (blog) During these presentations, the tower's architect, David Childs, is extolled, his work as the architect for the Freedom Tower figuring prominently into the discussions. In fact, Childs himself appeared before the Economic Forum business group in ...

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Did firm that designed WPB office tower steal design on Freedom Tower? - MyPalmBeachPost (blog)

Zuma: Political freedom without economic freedom is not complete freedom

The president says poverty, inequality and unemployment began when black people were dispossessed of their land.

President Jacob Zuma in Hammarsdale at a Youth Day celebration. Picture: Ziyanda Ncgobo/EWN.

HAMMARSDALE - President Jacob Zuma says political freedom without addressing the economy is an incomplete democracy.

Zuma was speaking in Hammarsdale at a Youth Day celebration organised by the eThekwini region today.

He says poverty, inequality and unemployment began when black people were dispossessed of their land.

Zuma has been warmly welcomed by the eThekwini regions youth who have come to listen to programmes for their development by the municipality.

This is in contrast to the reception the president got in the North West earlier this week.

He says the youth must lead the charge for economic freedom.

Political freedom without economic freedom is not a complete freedom.

Zuma has urged young people to be champions of radical economic transformation.

(Edited by Refilwe Pitjeng)

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Zuma: Political freedom without economic freedom is not complete freedom - Eyewitness News

A four-run second inning in which the visiting Joliet Slammers batted through the order set the tone early Saturday night, as the Florence Freedom, presented by Titan Mechanical Solutions, suffered their worst defeat of the season by a final score of 12-2 at UC Health Stadium.

Following a perfect first inning, Freedom (21-11) starter Zach Wendorf (0-2) faced five batters in the second before recording his first out. Despite not collecting a single hit in the inning, the Slammers (14-18) took advantage of three walks and two Florence errors to build a 4-0 lead. Wendorf would recover to toss scoreless third and fourth innings, but gave up a home run to Juan Silva in the fifth before a walk and a hit-by-pitch ended his evening after just four-plus innings of work.

Edwin Gomez, Melvin Rodriguez and Alex Rodriguez would also homer for Joliet in the game, as the onslaught continued against relievers Evan Bickett, Sam Brunner and Laetten Galbraith, each of whom allowed at least one run before Matt Pobereyko struck out the side in a perfect ninth.

Slammers starting pitcher Shane Bryant (0-2) stymied the Freedom through seven innings, limiting the home team to just two runs on sacrifice flies by Ryan Rinsky and Daniel Fraga in the second and fifth innings, respectively. Reliever Gibson Russ held Florence scoreless through the final two innings.

The loss set a new season-high in runs allowed by the Freedom, and the ten-run deficit was the largest for the team all year. Jose Brizuela, Collins Cuthrell and Austin Wobrock each registered two hits, but Andre Mercurio went 0-for-4 in the game, ending his hitting streak at 10 games.

The Freedom will look to avoid the series sweep on Sunday at UC Health Stadium, with first pitch of the series finale scheduled for 6:05 p.m. Right-hander Tony Vocca (4-2) will take the mound for the Freedom against left-hander Tasker Strobel (1-1) for Joliet.

The Florence Freedom are members of the independent Frontier League and play all home games at UC Health Stadium located at 7950 Freedom Way in Florence, KY.The Freedom can be found online at FlorenceFreedom.com, or by phone at 859-594-4487.

Florence Freedom

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Slammers rout Freedom to take first two games of series, team tries to avoid sweep today - User-generated content (press release) (registration)

The world is in serious need of a laugh right now. A ridiculous, oversized belly laugh would let the tension ease out. We are on edge, with that nasty grating feeling, a bit like when theres raw skin in your mouth and you cant stop touching it with your tongue.

Politics. Life. Everything.

When things are at their most difficult, the extreme moments in life, when you cant talk about Brexit one more time without screaming, then comedy can ease the pain. Stand-up comedian and writer Grainne Maguire believes that trauma sometimes brings out the best laughs. Comedy is a challenge to heartbreak, says Maguire, who writes for 8 Out of 10 Cats and BBC Radio 4s Now Show.The Irish comedian, who tweeted updates on her periods to the Irish Taoiseach as part of an original attempt to bring attention to the countrys ridiculously historic abortion laws, believes that comedy gets to truth and authorities dont like that.

And so it is in Spain right now. Comedy, it turns out, is touching a nerve, as it often does, and rather surprisingly the lawyers are getting involved. Comedy is not only a threat, but under threat.

Whats bizarre is, this is Spain, a modern democracy, a solid, sensible country at the centre of Europe. Locking people up for making a joke, thats something you might expect from an authoritarian and struggling state. But Spain?

Well, it turns out, this is Spain in the 21st century. The list of comedy offences reported in the latest issue of Index on Censorship magazine is not short. Spanish comedian Dani Mateo was told to testify before a judge in May for telling a joke referring to a monument built by Francos regime as shit. He told the joke during a satirical show. Now it doesnt sound like the best joke in the world, but hell, we defend his right to tell it. And Mateo is not alone in the Spanish comic fraternity. Theres Facu Daz, who was prosecuted last year for posting jokes on social media; Cassandra Vera, who was sentenced to a year in prison for making jokes about a former Spanish president; and three women who were accused of a religious hate crime for mocking a traditional Easter procession. Then theres the two Spanish puppeteers whose Punch and Judy show included a sign for a made-up terrorist organisation carried by a witch. They spent a year fighting prosecution, unable to leave the country for weeks, receiving anonymous threats and having to report regularly to the police.

Jokes are a barometer of public mood, and as British comedian Andy Hamilton told this summers Hay Festival, you can even use them to test how much the public like or dislike a politician or public figure. He remembered making a joke about then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and being told by one of her staunchest supporters to expect a wave of outrage. On checking, he found just three complaints, and thats when, he said, he knew Thatcher was on the way out. Perhaps someone could test out a joke about Theresa May and see how the complaints barometer swings? Author John OFarrell says: Its such a sign of a healthy democracy that we can laugh at our leaders.

Jokes do take the temperature of the nation, and one of many reasons politicians fear them is, as Mark Twain said, Against the assault of laughter, nothing can stand.

Politicians fear being made fun of, and fear that a satirical representationmay take root in the electorates brain. They fear the public seeing their weaknesses. Some may remember how TVs Spitting Image reduced each member of the cabinet to a single ridiculous idea, a spitting former Home Secretary Roy Hattersley or a tiny David Steel tucked in the top pocket of David Owen (joint leaders of the SDP-Liberal alliance). Not good for their egos, not good for their future prospects. Steel said later that the sketch definitely affected his image.

Joke-telling is not the only ingredient in the comedy cupboard that upsets the powers that be. The most obvious creators of exaggerated portraits are newspaper cartoonists, who sometimes feel the long arm of the police on their shoulders as a result.

South African cartoonist Zapiro told Index on Censorship: We provoke thought, even if that thought is pretty outrageous. Others can do it too. We just occupy a space where you can really push the boundaries. Zapiro faced a six-year court battle with South Africas President Jacob Zuma over one of his cartoons. But Zapiro is just as feisty as ever, and reckons he is bolshier than the generations that have come after him. Meanwhile in Germany this February talk show host and comedian Jan Bhmermann was hit by a civil court action banning him from repeating a poem that was rude about Turkeys President Erdogan.

Cracking down on comedy is just one attempt to command and control society. And when solid modern democracies such as Spain and Germany start taking their comedians to court its a sign that society is feeling so out of sorts that they think free speech no longer feels important or worth defending. In fact it needs that key freedom now more than ever.

OFarrell believes authoritarians are wrong anyway, that comedy is less about power and more about releasing our Munch-like screams. Lets get our Adams apples warmed up.

Rachael Jolley is editor of Index on Censorship magazine. The summer issue is out next week and features an interview with Zapiro. On July 4, the Index Stand Up For Satire comedy night will feature Al Murray, Tim Key, Felicity Ward and more.

Continued here:

Laughter can ease life's pain - we must protect the freedom to joke - New Statesman

It's an annual commemoration dedicated to freedom; a celebration for freedoms already won in the knowledge that for all people of all colors to be truly free, the struggle must continue.

Nearing its 40th anniversary as a community institution, the 2017 Juneteenth Celebration -- its theme was "Bringing it Back Home" -- attracted people of all ages and backgrounds to Bessemer Park Saturday.

There, celebrants heralded the end of slavery via the Emancipation Proclamation -- read in its entirety as part of the ceremony -- while acknowledging the vast contributions blacks have made, and will continue to make, in society.

The future of young black leaders was ably represented in this year's royal court, led by Queen Brianna Forbes and Jr. Miss Juneteenth Serenity Sanford.

Supporting Forbes and Sanford were Queen attendants Kiaya Lucero-Lemons and Kiara Andrews, and Maelah Robinson-Castillo, this year's Jr. Miss Juneteenth attendant.

In addition to Forbes, Lucero-Lemons and Andrews, Anicca Roberts was selected as a 2017 scholarship recipient. All four young women, who are either in college or bound for it, read the well-scripted essays that helped secure them the educational stipend.

Thanks to those who come before, especially those who overcame the bonds of slavery, Andrews said today's generation has the "freedom to become what we desire, the freedom to live the way you want to live, the freedom to go any school, the freedom to say 'hi' to a stranger.

"The freedom to go and let your voice be heard."

Forbes and Sanford said that while they feel "humbled and blessed" to have been chosen as Juneteenth royalty, the meaning behind the celebration is what's most important to them.

"This means so much to me because I am a young African-American girl, and I see the hardships that African Americans go through, still to this day, even being free," said Sanford.

"Being American and being African-American, we're not as free as everyone else. So it's important for me to come out here with everyone and celebrate that I am black. This is who I am and this is what it means to me."

Being named Queen, Forbes believes, will allow her the opportunity "to step up in my community and really help unite Pueblo while making a stand for our black community.

"So this is a day to celebrate freedom and remember where we've come from -- how we've grown not only as a culture but as a nation. We have to remember to stand together as family and be thankful for the things we have today."

Gratitude also figured into the words of Rev. Shadrach J. Thomas, who delivered the invocation.

"We have a lot to be thankful for," he said. "As we look at this beautiful nation, our 45th president, where we are today: someone bled and died for this freedom."

The day was ushered in by a powerful performance of the national anthem by young Jaylen Sankey and an equally uplifting take on "Lift Every Voice and Sing," the traditional "Black National Anthem," by Sister Helen Wiley.

Celebrants also enjoyed a children's talent show, live music from local fave Carlos Crull and band, and smoky eats from Good in the Hood BBQ.

jpompia@chieftain.com

WHAT IS JUNETEENTH?

Also known as Juneteenth Independence Day or Freedom Day, Juneteenth is a holiday that commemorates the June 19, 1865, announcement of the abolition of slavery in Texas, and more generally the emancipation of African-American slaves throughout the Confederate South. A melding of "June" and "nineteenth," Juneteenth was first established in Texas as a state holiday in 1980.

By 2008, nearly half of the U.S. states observed the holiday as a ceremonial observance. And as of May 2016, when the Maryland legislature approved official recognition of the holiday, 45 of the 50 states and the District of Columbia have recognized Juneteenth as either a state holiday or ceremonial holiday, a day of observance.

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Juneteenth stresses freedom, education - Pueblo Chieftain