DCSGP Press Release
The Statehood Green Party endorses, joins DC Juneteenth event, June 18
For Immediate Release Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Contact: Scott McLarty, DC Statehood Green Party Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, mclarty@greens.org
? EVENT: 2nd Annual DC Juneteenth Celebration and Music Festival: an afternoon of music, speakers, remembrance, and fellowship to commemorate the day that the Emancipation Proclamation was finally established for all African Americans.
? WHEN: Sunday, June 18, 2006, 12 noon to 5 p.m. (setup at 9 a.m.)
? WHERE: African American Civil War Memorial, U Street and Vermont Avenue, NW in Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON, DC -- The DC Statehood Green Party has endorsed and will participate in the second annual DC Juneteenth Celebration and Music Festival, which will June 18, 2006 in Washington, D.C.
The event commemorate the 141st anniversary of the day, June 19, 1865, when Union troops reached Galveston, Texas to establish the Emancipation Proclamation as law in the last state of Confederate rebellion -- 2? years after the date of the Emancipation Proclamation (January 1, 1863). The D.C. Juneteenth Celebration will take place at the African American Civil War Memorial, U Street and Vermont Avenue in NW Washington, D.C.
Statehood Greens have called the movement for D.C. statehood a continuation of the struggle for emancipation and civil rights for African Americans. The party supports the D.C. Juneteenth Celebration as an example of grassroots democratic cooperation by District artists and activists, representing what D.C. residents can accomplish by working together.
Several party members are among the organizers of the event, and party activist Toussaint Tingling-Clemmons is one of the featured speakers. The DC Statehood Green Party also endorsed and participated in last year's successful Juneteenth Celebration.
The afternoon of music, DJs, speakers, remembrance, and fellowship will be hosted by Dr. Jared Ball of Organized C.O.U.P. and Blackademics Hip-Hip show on WPFW. The event is being organized by the Juneteenth Freedman's Legacy Association, a multicultural coalition dedicated to facilitating new outreach methods in DC communities.
Scheduled musical performers include:
? The Poemcees
? Emoni Fela featuring The ELs
? Akshan
? DJ Sam "The Man" Burns
? DJ K La Rock
? DJ Clark
? Peace Justice Universal
? Soul Rebel
? The Lucky Lions Martial Arts Troop
? Omega Band
Scheduled speakers include:
? Lamar Wilson, curator of Banneker Douglass Museum
? Ayo Handy Kendi, African American Holiday Association
? Abdur Rahim Muhammad of The Hung Tao Choi Mei Leadership Institute
? Toussaint Tingling-Clemmons
Juneteenth Freeman's Legacy Association has invited other socially progressive groups and institutions to set up tables that contribute to the educational tradition of the commemoration of Juneteenth. A fee is required to help cover festival costs. Interested groups should contact Rami Elamine at 888 810 6202 or at qawom@mutualaid.org.
MORE INFORMATION
2nd Annual DC Juneteenth Celebration and Music Festival, Contact: Vance Levy, 301-891-3095, Juneteenth@head-roc.com
