During the June 10 regular Glendale City Council meeting, Glendale Mayor Jerry P. Weiers proclaimed Thursday, June 19 as Juneteenth in the city of Glendale.

To commemorate the proclamation, the Black Business Owners Coalition of Glendale, led by Rev. Marcia Garland, as well as the city of Glendale’s Inclusion Network, represented by LeJeune Boone, were on-hand to receive the proclamation.

“I encourage our citizens to celebrate Juneteenth each year and urge our residents to take time to learn more about its significance in American history,” said Mayor Weiers at the meeting. “Juneteenth is the celebration of freedom and is the oldest known public celebration of the end of slavery in the U.S.”

During the Civil War on Jan. 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring slaves in rebel territory free. This then paved the way for the ratification of the 13^th Amendment, which formally abolished slavery in the U.S. on Dec. 6, 1865.

"A question the coalition has posted on social media simply asks, what does Juneteenth mean to you," Garland said June 10. "It means the liberation, emancipation and freedon of 250,000 human beings from slavery, people that look like me - my ancestors. What does Saturday June 11, 2022 mean to me? Just within walking distance from this location, it meant that Glendale had arrived. Glendale could now be placed on the map with other cities like Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, etc. I had the honor of organizing and hosting the first event to honor Juneteenth in the city."

All Glendale city buildings will be open and services will be available on Thursday, June 19.