Over 250 Newton residents gathered at the Hyde Community Center field on Monday to mark Juneteenth, the anniversary of the order in Texas on June 19, 1865 proclaiming freedom for enslaved people. The event featured live music, food trucks, vendors, family-friendly activities, and booths supporting local Black-owned businesses.
The program began with an introduction from Families Organizing for Racial Justice (FORJ) board chair Lisa Bibuld and board member Tamika Olszewski, who welcomed everyone to the event and thanked Hyde Community Center Director John Rice for arranging the event. Olszewski is also Chair of the Newton School Committee. Several Newton North students addressed or performed for the crowd. Below are some photos from the event.
Rev. Brandon Crowley from the Myrtle Baptist Church spoke to the crowd, provocatively stating, “I am not so sure white people should be celebrating Juneteenth.” He said they perhaps should be reflecting on the legacy of Juneteenth. He spoke of his fear that Juneteenth is becoming “commodified” into something corporations can profit from, like Pride month, and that its integrity must be preserved. He also offered that he felt that “All celebrations that avoid discussion of reparations are a waste of time.” He asked the crowd to hold their white peers accountable for racist behavior and that we must ensure our schools are “teaching true American history when states such as Florida are seeking to whitewash it.”
The event was organized by Families Organizing for Racial Justice (FORJ), FORJ at Newton North High School, the Newton Coalition of Black Residents, Myrtle Baptist Church, NewCity Church, CAN-DO, Newton Youth Success Collaborative, the Harmony Foundation, Newton Upstanders, the Newton Indigenous Peoples Day Committee, Story Starters, Newton Community Education, and the Newton Human Rights Commission.
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New TV Coverage of Event:
