Rep. Jason Lowe

Juneteenth and Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY — State Rep. Jason Lowe (D-OKC) released the following statement in response to Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday, following President Joe Biden signing the bill into law Thursday afternoon. Juneteenth is the commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States, marking the day in 1865 that news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached Galveston, Texas, freeing slaves in the last Confederate state.

“I applaud the leadership of President Biden and Oklahoma’s congressional delegation for voting to make Juneteenth a federal holiday. Juneteenth is a celebration of Black liberation and how far Black Americans have come despite the barriers of systemic racism and oppression.

“Recognizing Juneteenth is the first step of many needed to address racial injustice and inequality in America. I hope this action is met with policy that aims to further uplift communities of color.”

Juneteenth on the East

On Saturday, June 19, Oklahoma City will celebrate Juneteenth with an all-day, family-friendly event featuring live music, dance performances, live mural painting, spoken word, food trucks, vendors, and local small businesses, that form the backbone of the City’s Eastside community. The event  is produced by With Love and local community leaders. The public is invited to attend the celebration of “freedom and placemaking” while highlighting the history of Emancipation in the United States. The event kicks off at 3 p.m. and goes until 9 p.m.