SPOKANE, Wash. – Pastor Amos Atkinson emphasizes the importance of understanding and celebrating Juneteenth in Spokane and beyond. Juneteenth marks a significant moment in history when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom on June 19, 1865, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863.
“It talks about what our ancestors went through, how they went through all those trials and tribulations, all the struggles just to get to where we are today,” said Pastor Amos Atkinson.
The announcement of freedom by Major General Gordon Granger led to celebrations that have continued for over a century.
Juneteenth is recognized as a day to honor the strength and perseverance of African Americans while promoting unity.
Pastor Timmy Sykes from Galveston, Texas, reflects on the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr.
“I really would like to see more solidarity and unity among the African-American community and blacks in this country,” he said, emphasizing King’s message of nonviolence and peace.
Juneteenth has grown into a national holiday celebrated and taught more each year across the United States. Pastor Sykes appreciates the efforts made in Spokane to spread awareness and celebrate Juneteenth.
“The distance from Galveston to Spokane is a great distance. And it’s just so enriching and so glorious to know that all the way in Spokane, Washington, you all have a vested interest in knowing more about Juneteenth,” he added.
Both pastors highlight the importance of coming together to celebrate the significance of Juneteenth, not only as a remembrance of freedom but as a call for continued unity and understanding among all communities.
