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Matter protest in Cedar Rapids. About 2,000 people attended and marched through downtown Cedar Rapids to protest the death of George Floyd and other people of color at the hands of the police. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)lowans put a new spin on celebrating JuneteenthVirtual videos in C.R.; music, cookout in I.C.By Alexandra Skores,The Gazettelowans are taking a new spin on celebrating and commemorating Juneteenth, the oldest known celebration of the end of slavery in the United States.Juneteenth celebrations this year will be taking place virtually for both the African American Museum of Iowa and the Iowa Juneteenth Observance organization because of coronavirus restrictions.The Iowa Freedom Riders are planning an in-person, celebratory event, with live performances and a cookout, on Saturday after a protest in downtown Iowa City.Juneteenth commemorates the abolition of slavery that took place on June 19,1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, with news the Civil War had ended and slaves were free, according to the Iowa Department of Human Rights.The slaves were actually freed two-and-a-half years earlier, when President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which took effect Jan. 1,1863.People take part in a protest against racial injustice June 6 at Greene Square in Cedar Rapids. The protests underscore the importance this year’s Juneteenth holiday - June 19 - the day in 1865 that slaves in Galveston, Texas, learned the Civil War was over and they were free. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)On April 11,2002, Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack signed legislation establishing Juneteenth as a state holiday on June 19. Iowa was the seventh state to recognize the holiday.C.R. VIDEOSThe African American Museum of Iowa in Cedar Rapids has been closed since mid-March because of the coronavirus, forcing the museum to reconsider the Juneteenth celebration this year# according to LaNisha Cassell, the museum’s executive director.“With so much uncertainty, we thought it best to make the decision early in order to create a quality alternative,” Cassell said. “We wantedto provide enough time for everyone to coordinate their prerecorded remarks and performances.”Cassell said lowanscan view videos at the museum’s website and follow social media that takes note of the holiday.The museum began posting videos on Mon-LaNishaCassellAfrican American Museum of Iowaday, aimed at connecting lowans with the history and significance of Juneteenth.STATEWIDEMarKaus, an event coordinator with theIowa Juneteenth Observance, said its virtual celebration began Thursday with a community builder’s appreciation banquet.Today, the organization will celebrate Health Awareness Day, to focus on the healing of the community.Saturday will bring about a virtual celebration for Neighbor’s Day, with guest speakers and “A Monumental Journey,” a piece on 12 African-American lawyers who changed the course of the American Bar Association.The live streams can be accessed on Facebook and YouTube.“This isn’t just a black people event,” MarKaus said. “It is something we want the whole community and all of Iowa to tap into.”Cassell said many American do not understand the significance of the Juneteenth holiday.“We envision building a community that comes together to foster a greater understanding and appreciation of Iowa’s African American history and culture through conversation, engagement and reflection,” Cassell said. “All lives won’t matter until black lives matter.”Comments: (319) 398-8372; alexandra.skores@thegazette.com
Newspaper Details
Cedar Rapids Gazette
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, US
Fri, Jun 19, 2020
Page 3
Full Page
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WI, USA 28 May 2022
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