JUNETEENTH Protest & Celebration!

This a local Sandusky Indivisible event!

What is Juneteenth and why is it a holiday?

Juneteenth (a blending of "June" and "nineteenth") commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It marks the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation—more than two years after President Lincoln initially issued it. Why is it celebrated? Although the Emancipation Proclamation declared all enslaved people in Confederate states free on January 1, 1863, it was essentially unenforceable in areas without a strong Union military presence. Because the Civil War bypassed much of Texas, enslavers fled there with enslaved workers to avoid Union control. Freedom did not come to Texas until June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston and read General Orders No. 3, officially proclaiming freedom for the state's 250,000 enslaved people. Significance and Observance • The "Second Independence Day": Juneteenth serves as a vital bookend to the Fourth of July, marking the moment the promises of the Declaration of Independence began to apply to Black Americans. • Federal Recognition: First celebrated in Texas in 1866, the date evolved into a nationwide celebration of Black history, culture, and progress. It became an official U.S. federal holiday on June 17, 2021. • Traditions: Celebrations typically feature community parades, family gatherings, historical readings, and traditional foods (such as red-colored sodas and barbecue) that trace their roots to West African practices.

Juneteenth is the second spring holiday, following Memorial Day, but its future has been in doubt since President Donald Trump canceled fee-free days at national parks for both MLK Day and Juneteenth.

Here's what you need to know about Juneteenth this year.

Former President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act on June 17, 2021, establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday. The Juneteenth National Independence Day is one of 11 federal holidays this year, and falls on Friday, June 19, roughly three weeks after Memorial Day.

As Juneteenth is a federal holiday, all nonessential government workers should be off June 19.

Can Trump cancel Juneteenth?

President Donald Trump does not have the power to unilaterally cancel Juneteenth or any established federal holiday. To do so would require an act of Congress. Trump can, however, issue executive orders, effective for a year, that changes the way federal holidays are administered such as .

Come and protest Trump's attempt to cancel Juneteenth. Let's celebrate this great holiday together and that our President Joe Biden finally made a federal holiday that Trump couldn't destroy!

A core principle behind all Indivisible events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values.

Hi! 

Plan and dress for sun/rain/who knows? Check the weather report this day and dress accordingly. At our protests, different folks stopped by and left treats - cookies, coffee and hot chocolate. None of them were able to stay but they must have seen us out there before and decided to support us as they were able to. There are folks who aren't able to protest for many reasons but appreciate and support those of us who can and do. That's why it's so important for us to be to be out there. We are getting more and more honking too. I think this is due to several reasons. They're learning that honking is how you show support of us, they have seen us out there regularly and appreciate our commitment and more and more folks are understanding that Trump lies and that he conned them. Even the opposition has weaken. Instead of flipping birds, they are only able to do a thumbs down. H-M-M a very interesting development. 

Sandusky Indivisible is committed to doing at least one protest per month. We DON'T do just No Kings protests as some groups do because studies have shown that if 3.5% of the population turns out to protest a tyrant that he can be defeated. So we have done one protest each month even in November, December, January and February. Our group was small but passing cars seemed to understand and appreciate our commitment. 

PERSISTENCE PAYS AND COURAGE IS CONTAGIOUS!

Bring signs, friends and/or family. Enjoy being with like minded folks and the positive feedback from the passing cars. We are always peaceful protesters in the tradition of Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. We must NEVER engage in a negative way with the opposition. If they flip us a bird (their only form of speech it appears), then blow them a kiss or make a hand heart. Peaceful demonstration is legal and has and will win. If you don’t feel you can come and not respond positively then please don’t come. It hurts our cause and is not what MLK or Gandhi would do and how they WON. Tom and I are finding that after these protests with like minded people, we are feeling good, nurtured, healed and boy don't we all need that now. So please to come to this protest for your mental health. We look forward to seeing you, having fun and enjoying this community we are forming and growing. 

Glenda and Tom