Locals Celebrate Juneteenth

A freedom walk taking place during the Juneteenth event celebrating the new federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, at Charles White Park in Altadena, on Saturday, June 19, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)

Hank Jones, left, one of the last living members of the Black Panther Party, during the Juneteenth event celebrating the new federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, at Charles White Park in Altadena, on Saturday, June 19, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)

Local community members unite for the Juneteenth event celebrating the new federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, at Charles White Park in Altadena, on Saturday, June 19, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)

Dr. Sandra Thomas during the Juneteenth event celebrating the new federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, at Charles White Park in Altadena, on Saturday, June 19, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)

California State Senator Anthony Portantino, center, poses for a picture with community members who received the Letter of Proclamation during the Juneteenth event celebration, at Charles White Park in Altadena, on Saturday, June 19, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)

Yucan Love performs with his daughter during the Juneteenth event celebration, at Charles White Park in Altadena, on Saturday, June 19, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)

Heavenly Hughes from My Tribe Rise, receives a Letter of Proclamation from California State Senator Anthony Portantino during the Juneteenth event celebration, at Charles White Park in Altadena, on Saturday, June 19, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)

More than a hundred area residents gathered to celebrate Juneteenth on a day that became the first June 19 as a federal holiday with speeches, awards and music at Charles White Park in Altadena Saturday.

The event, sponsored by community organization My Tribe Rise, featured music, food and awards presented to organizers and volunteers from local government officials.

Dr. Sandra E. Thomas of the Altadena Town Council gave the gathered crowd a short history lesson as she explained how, on June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger and his troops entered Galveston, Texas, and announced that the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862, and had become official in 1863.

The Civil War had ended by then but slaves had not been freed in Texas until Granger arrived to enforce emancipation.

State Senator Anthony Portantino welcomed the crowd and awarded a State Certificate of Recognition to Heavenly Hughes of MyTribe Rise. Hughes was the primary organizer of the afternoon’s events.

Black Panther Party members Hank Jones and Florence Jenkins passed a symbolic black wooden staff to Hughes on stage in a ceremonial demonstration of African-American solidarity.

“This has been a day of celebration, showing that we are free,” said Hughes. “I’m thankful that the community has come together all day today … we’re about to create a synergy of freedom, and understanding that we are free.”