Celebrating the date June 19, 1865, when enslaved Africans in Texas learned belatedly of the Emancipation Proclamation (effective January 1, 1863), Denver’s Juneteenth Music Festival is one of the largest observances in the nation. Welton Street is filled with dancing to beats blasting from multiple soundstages, colors of Africa and America, and the aroma of BBQ. AND worth mentioning, nostalgically now in 2020, shining faces and hugs everywhere!

Juneteenth is a grand celebration of being “free-ish” (as t-shirts for the occasion say), rather than an explicit protest. This week’s activities feel markedly different, because 2020 is different from any year in memory. Saturday afternoon a large crowd gathered at Manual High School – founded in 1892, one of the first schools in Colorado to educate Black people.

The mood was both celebratory and determined. After listening to a few heartfelt speeches from megaphones, we stepped out toward the Five Points intersection. Chants rang out from behind facemasks. Black Lives Matter! Say his name, George Floyd! Say her name, Breonna Taylor! Say his name, Elijah McClain! Justice now!

Our river of multicolored humanity flowed up Welton Street – historically the glorious epicenter of Black culture in Denver during segregation. We rounded toward Fuller Park – Denver’s second oldest park, located just inside the pre-civil-rights color line. Gathering again for more chants, we also heard exhortations for practical action on behalf of justice in our city, led by 21-year-old school board member Tay Anderson. Next weekend’s rally? In the Stapleton neighborhood, demanding a long-overdue name change for a community named after the 1920s Klan-connected Denver mayor.

The next day, Sunday June 14, we received the pleasantly stunning news that in less than 24 hours, the Stapleton authorities had approved a change of name! Much to celebrate in this historic time for movements toward justice… and much challenging work to be done.

A great way to continue this week’s celebration is to tune into the moved-online Juneteenth Music Festival. The main virtual music event is this Thursday, June 18. And do make this vibrant holiday your annual tradition – in a future without masks, many more hugs on Welton Street, and more justice in our beloved city!

We also invite you to enjoy reading about Juneteenth as a “Denver Holy Day” in our beautifully illustrated book, Beyond our Efforts: A Celebrate of Denver Peacemaking.