June marks 2 monumental movements of liberation - LGBTQ Pride Month, and Juneteenth. Without Queer, and Black voices in the fight for equity and justice, there can and will not be justice. Monday is a big day for celebration. This year, the Alaska State Senate finally passed Senate Bill 22, establishing Juneteenth as a state holiday. Alaskans and others across our country will commemorate and celebrate the day in 1865 when enslaved peoples in Texas finally learned they were free; two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
This Juneteenth, we honor the incredible work and leadership of Black Alaskans and communities. This is a time for allies to listen and learn where we benefit from the experience of the intersections of race, democracy, accessibility, and climate justice from the communities in the frontlines of oppression. It is a time to recognize our collective histories and commit to dismantling the structures that continue to do harm to marginalized communities. It is a time to heal together and be better for each other in this work.
This weekend we are excited to celebrate Black Excellence by joining celebrations in both Anchorage and Fairbanks.
The Anchorage Juneteenth Citywide Celebration will be 3 days from Saturday, June 17 to 19th and will kick off with a parade at noon on the Delaney Park Strip. On the 17th and 18th, our Trailside team will be running the Kidzone again this year and will have a hula hoop station, coloring activities and a supervised bounce house. Our advocacy team will be tabling as well, so stop by and say hi and learn how you can help support more equitable and accessible renewable energy and democracy.
In Fairbanks on Saturday June 17, we’ll be tabling at NAACP’s Juneteenth Celebration Festival in Fairbanks at Bernice Alldrige Park, starting at 12pm. Stop by and learn more about community solar and get ready for our local Interior municipal elections in October.
For the work of a true Just Transition and celebration, we all must show up for each other and share in the wisdom that creates the futures we seek to live in. We hope you can make it out, build and celebrate with us.
We look forward to seeing you!!
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