FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 11, 2021
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Town of North Hempstead to Host Juneteenth Celebration
North Hempstead, NY – Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth, Council Member Viviana Russell, and the Town Board are proud to host this year’s Juneteenth celebration at Martin “Bunky” Reid Park in Westbury on June 19, 2021, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The theme of the event will be rejoicing and reflecting.
“We are proud to be hosting our Juneteenth celebration at Bunky Reid Park,” said Supervisor Bosworth. “This marks the first year Juneteenth is being recognized as an official holiday in New York State and in North Hempstead. We join together with the community in acknowledging the injustices from slavery, reflecting on the meaning of freedom, and continuing to work for equality for all.”
“With the understanding that people of color still have so many systemic obstacles to contend with I believe it is important that we fully rejoice in how far we’ve come and all that we have accomplished thus far,” said Council Member Viviana Russell. “We are extremely proud to be hosting the first Annual Town of North Hempstead Juneteenth Celebration and look forward to future celebrations to come.”
The event includes remarks from Theresa Sanders, President of Urban League of Long Island along with music and entertainment from Dena’s School of the Arts; Gary Foote HarlemWorks!, known for his work with the iconic Smokey Robinson; the Gloria Eve Performing Arts Foundation, known for their specialization in dance, music, and theatre; and Natasha C. Coward, the Empress of R&B.
Juneteenth is a holiday which celebrates the emancipation and freedom of slaves in the United States. June 19, 1865, is when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas and freed the remaining slaves. This led to the abolition of slavery following the issuing of the Emancipation Proclamation two years earlier.