City and state officials gathered with members of the community to celebrate the Juneteenth holiday with a speaking program and flag raising ceremony.
Reminder Publishing photos by Ryan Feyre
SPRINGFIELD — A sea of people gathered inside City Hall on Juneteenth to not only celebrate the consequential holiday, but also to remember why it exists and why it is important to carry its legacy.
“Juneteenth is a day that’s commemorating freedom from slavery and invites all community members to reflect on our collective history,” said state Sen. Adam Gomez (D-Springfield) at the city’s commemoration of the holiday. “Juneteenth provides an opportunity to celebrate the rich culture and traditions, stories and contributions of Black Americans and other marginalized groups.”
Gomez was joined by Mayor Domenic Sarno, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal (D-Springfield), state Rep. Bud Williams (D-Springfield) as well as City Council and School Committee members for a speaking program inside City Hall and to raise a flag commemorating the holiday outside City Hall.
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when the United States Army delivered the news to Galveston Bay, Texas, that all enslaved people were free.
In his remarks, Neal touched on the importance of remembering that history and Springfield’s role in serving as an important destination for freedom seekers and activists.
“I hope that all Americans celebrate this holiday that [former President] Joe Biden implemented and signed, but also in memory of what it was that many of your ancestors struggled through to get us to this day,” Neal said. “It was an uplifting, steep climb.”
Before reading a proclamation in recognition of the holiday, Sarno spoke of how proud he is of the Black community in Springfield and shared the importance of educating people about the significance of the day.
“Springfield is proud of each and every one of you in the Black community,” Sarno said. “You’ve made a big effect, not only in the city of Springfield, [but also] in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the United States of America … it’s important that Juneteenth is recognized.”
Also in attendance at the ceremony was LaMar Cook, the Western Mass. deputy director of Gov. Maura Healey’s office, expanded on the history of the holiday by emphasizing the courage, discipline and sacrifice of the 180,000 former slaves who fought in the Union Army to help win the Civil War.
He honored the Black-owned businesses, HBCUs, elected officials and Springfield students representing the Black excellence that has surged since 1865.
“Let’s be clear, Juneteenth is not just a black holiday, it’s an American holiday,” Cook said. “Because freedom should never be a niche celebration.”
Williams, who filed the legislation that made Juneteenth a state holiday in 2020, encouraged residents to learn, remember and celebrate Juneteenth because “none of us are free until all of us are free.”
“There are many parts of our country where our Black history, African-American history is actively being distorted and even removed when instead it should be recognized, studied, and celebrated,” Williams said. “We were persistent in securing Juneteenth as an official holiday and we must come together to acknowledge and celebrate this significant history.”
Former Gov. Charlie Baker approved the Juneteenth holiday across the state in 2020, and Biden signed into law a bill establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday on June 17, 2021.
