Particle.news
Download on the App Store
15 ARTICLES
·
5h ago

Juneteenth Celebrations Proceed Nationwide Despite Corporate Pullback

Communities are hosting festivals, parades and cultural gatherings across cities to honor emancipation, with companies quietly scaling back observances in response to the Trump administration’s rollback of diversity programs.

Dancers with the Royal Divas, Saturday, June 18, 2022, at the day’s Juneteenth parade through IUPUI’s campus in Indianapolis.
DENVER, CO - JUNE 17: Crowds gather along Welton Street in Five Points for the Juneteenth Music Festival on June 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. Organizers say its one of Denver's longest running parades dating back to the 1950's where "nearly 3,000 people march to honor the struggles and social progress achieved through marches and demonstrations organized for freedom, justice, and equality in our country's history".
Image
Trooper Jackie Quinn, representing "Buffalo Soldiers" of the 9th and 10th Cavalry, carries the General Order No. 3 during a march reenactment in celebration of Juneteenth in Galveston, Texas, U.S., June 19, 2023. REUTERS/Adrees Latif

Overview

  • Juneteenth marks the June 19, 1865 announcement of freedom to enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, and was designated a federal holiday in 2021.
  • Cities from Augusta to Houston and across the Bay Area are staging festivals, heritage runs, parades and educational events this week.
  • Major employers such as Meta, Walmart and Bank of America continue to recognize Juneteenth as a paid holiday or cultural observance, but with reduced public programming and fewer high-visibility statements.
  • The Trump administration’s dismantling of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives has prompted about 15% of organizations to consider ending identity and heritage events, according to a recent Paradigm study.
  • Banks and federal offices will close June 19 under the federal holiday schedule, though states vary in recognizing Juneteenth, leaving some state employees expected to work.