City of Everett celebrates Juneteenth with City Hall flag raising

Special to The Advocate

  Mayor Carlo DeMaria and the City of Everett recently celebrated Juneteenth by raising the Juneteenth flag at City Hall.

  Juneteenth is a recently recognized federal holiday in the United States due to President Joe Biden making it official in 2021. However, this holiday was commonly celebrated by African Americans long before it was recognized by the United States. Juneteenth is recognized on June 19 because on that date in 1865 federal troops and Union Army General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and he issued a general order to inform Texans that “all slaves are free” and to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863.

  Mayor DeMaria said it’s important for the community to celebrate milestones and events that are significant in the cultures that are shared by Everett residents. “Juneteenth is meant to be a celebration,” said DeMaria. “It is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States and marks an important milestone in our nation’s history.”

  Mayor DeMaria also said that work still needs to be done to achieve a truly free and equitable society. “While we no longer see visible chains to hold people back, we know that barriers do still exist,” said DeMaria. “There is more work to be done for us to be an equal and equitable society for everyone.”

  Mayor DeMaria presented a proclamation to the Founder/President of the North Shore Juneteenth Association, Nicole McClain.

  Mayor Carlo DeMaria and the City of Everett would like to thank all the speakers, performers and everyone who attended the event to help celebrate Juneteenth.