HUDSON COUNTY — Tomorrow marks a long awaited historic moment for the Black community in Jersey City and Bayonne.
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop signed an executive order declaring Juneteenth, the day that recognizes the end of slavery in the United States, as an official city holiday on Wednesday.
“… recognizing Juneteenth as a holiday is a small step in acknowledging the fact that we have had a less than adequate conversation around our country’s history with slavery and the impact it still has on our communities,” said Fulop in a tweet.
Juneteenth is a national commemoration of the emancipation of slaves and the reflection of slavery in the U.S. Every year on June 19, city offices will be closed and it will become a formal paid holiday for city employees to honor the African American Independence Day.
“… this is a small way that we as a city can highlight the significance of the day in American History, where we can provoke conversation and where we can draw awareness,” stated Fulop.
Jersey City’s town neighbor, Bayonne, is also acknowledging Juneteenth.
For the first time ever, Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis and members of the Black in Bayonne organization will raise the Pan African flag in honor of Juneteenth.
“… we believe our ancestors went through way too many horrific experiences to not be honored during this time and deserve to be uplifted all over the world for what they’ve endured,” stated the organization on their Instagram.
The event will take place at Bayonne City Hall at 4 p.m.
Several organizations in Jersey City will hold events to celebrate Juneteenth.
Events:
Friday, June 19th, 2020
Location: MLK Drive (Kearny to Bayview Ave)
Time: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Jersey City Hall
Time: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
