El Paso, TX – June 8, 2024
Saturday at 8 a.m., the Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony took place at the historic McCall Neighborhood Center, marking a significant moment for the El Paso community. Juneteenth El Paso and Black El Paso Voice organized the event, bringing together residents to honor this pivotal day in American history.
The ceremony commenced with the El Paso Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club hoisting the Juneteenth flag alongside the U.S. flag, accompanied by the stirring sounds of the reveille. This symbolic act underscored the unity and progress represented by the Juneteenth holiday, commemorating enslaved Black Americans’ emancipation in the United States.
Monica, the founder of Black El Paso Voice, addressed the attendees, sharing the profound significance of the Juneteenth flag. She emphasized the importance of the flag’s design and the official branding, which was hard-won and represents the challenges and achievements of the Black community. Monica’s words inspired the community to embrace and utilize this powerful symbol in their celebrations and commemorations, filling them with a sense of pride and inspiration.
Following her speech, local singer Abeni Janae sang a rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often called the Black National Anthem. Her performance resonated with the crowd, adding a poignant and uplifting note to the ceremony.
The Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony at the McCall Neighborhood Center celebrated freedom and heritage and fostered a sense of community and collective memory. As El Paso moves forward, events like these serve as essential reminders of the significance of unity, recognition, and celebration of diverse histories.
The community is invited tothe city’s official celebration, hosted by Black El Paso Voice and the City of El Paso, Texas, on Saturday, June 15, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
