Juneteenth becomes a major event in America. States are declaring it as a holiday. Companies are giving employees the day off.
Celebrations will be held around metro Detroit for Juneteenth, the day in 1865 when the slaves were notified that they were free, nearly two years after Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
Gov. Whitmer issued a proclamation declaring June 19 as Juneteenth Celebration Day in Michigan.
Events will be held at the Charles Wright Museum, Spirit Plaza in Detroit, at the Dequindre Cut, at the Detroit Police Third Precinct ,and an online event will be held regarding racism, by the group Detroit Action, featuring Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist.
The Emagine Theatre in Royal Oak had planned a Juneteenth Film Festival. But the state attorney general’s office threatened Emagine Theatres with a misdemeanor charges, since movie theatres are not allowed to open yet. Emagine Theatres has postponed the Juneteenth event, which would have benefitted the United Negro College Fund. Paul Glantz, owner of the theatres, says in a statement “Strip clubs are open, massage parlors are open, and yet there is alleged ‘science and data’ to support the continued closure of movie theaters.’ He calls the governor’s orders ‘hypocrisy.’
