Black Vancouver Organizes JUNETEENTH March On June 19th

Black Vancouver is hosting the Juneteenth Vancouver March, taking place this Friday, June 19. 

June 19 marks Juneteenth– also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day – an annual holiday that commenced in 1865. Following the two recent Black Lives Matters protests, one at the Vancouver Art Gallery and the other at the Olympic Cauldron, many members of the community have advocated for a march in unity; it is not only emotionally expressive but holds immense power, history and tradition, and is a powerful tool to create change and express community values. 

Though Canadian, we cannot ignore the direct ties that many of our citizens have with our neighbouring Americans below; this makes the celebration of Juneteenth just as important for us as it is for them. 

Organized by Vancouver-based Nova Stevens and Shamika Mitchell, with the full platform support of the Black Vancouver team, the Juneteenth Vancouver March will take place at Jack Poole Plaza at 4pm. 

Ways to help:

●       Black Lives Matters t-shirts (pressed by North Vancouver’s Get Bold) will be handed out by volunteers at the march with the purpose to keep sparking conversations once people head home to their own communities, circles and families. Click HERE to donate before June 15 ($100 for a block of 12 shirts) 

●       For other ways to support, visit: https://www.blackvancouver.com/waystohelp

●       Show up June 19th and join for the march 

We invite the public to join in and support. Changes’ ripple effects can vary from a city, to a nation, to the world. Voices are to be heard, freedom of speech is to be expressed as we stand in solidarity. 

The time to stand together is now. 

Photo by Gabriele Chalon on Unsplash