Stoughton Hosting A Juneteenth Rally

STOUGHTON, MA — The Stoughton Diversity and Inclusion Organization has organized a Juneteenth rally for Friday afternoon.

The event will incorporate elements of protests seen across the country following the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and Rayshard Brooks. It will also memorialize black history.

"We want to continue to bring attention to the event and bring people together for a peaceful exchange of ideas," Organization chair Debra Roberts said. "Our mission is to bring people together with diverse backgrounds to express ideas peacefully and mitigate discrimination."

Juneteenth, observed every year on June 19, marks the day in 1865 when Union soldiers landed in Galveston, Texas, to announce that the Civil War had ended. That first Juneteenth came two years after Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed some slaves, but left others in southern states in chains.

Texas was the last state the Union Army reached, and so the 1865 declaration was seen as the real date slaves were freed, according to the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation. The day is now recognized as a holiday or day of observance in 45 states. Massachusetts officially began recognizing the holiday in 2007.

The rally was scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at Halloran Park and will be followed by a march to Faxton Park at 5 p.m. and a memorial ceremony there at 5:30 p.m.

Participants are encouraged to bring signs, drums and to show their support.

The Stoughton Diversity and Inclusion Organization is a nonpartisan group.