Juneteenth National Independence Day celebrations in Minneapolis look a little different this year, especially when it comes to the celebrations hosted by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.
Celebrations this year leading up to the holiday on Saturday have included nights filled with movies, music, and virtual panel discussions focused on key issues impacting the city's African American communities.
"As a Black woman and a descendent of slaves, it's great to have a Juneteenth celebration in our city," said LaTrisha Vetaw, Vice President of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.
Vetaw, an At-Large Commissioner, said there's an excitement in the city for Juneteenth, especially after COVID-19 forced celebrations to get canceled last year.
"When I was younger, Juneteenth was a big deal in Minneapolis. We would go to Bethune Park and there was a big gathering of the African American community and then it evolved to Wirth Park where Glenwood Avenue would be blocked off, people would be walking the streets, and it was just a fun time to see people you hadn't seen all winter."
The Juneteenth celebration was moved into a quieter part of the city and according to Vetaw, attendance suffered because of it. However, a rebirth in 2019 brought the crowds back to Bethune Park.
"It was the parade and then a larger scale event back in the birthplace of Juneteenth in Minneapolis," Vetaw added. "And then last year, everything came to a screeching halt."
On Thursday, President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, making Juneteenth a federal holiday. Minnesota Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn) and her colleagues Sens. Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and John Cornyn (R-
Texas) led the legislation through the Senate.
Sen. Smith told WCCO Radio's Mike Max on Friday morning that the credit needs to go to the people who spent decades pushing for the change.
"My favorite of these amazing humans is Ms. Opal Lee from Texas," Smith said. "She came all the way to Washington D.C. with over one million signatures asking for Juneteenth to become a federal holiday."
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board will return to Bethune Park on Saturday to host their Juneteenth celebration. Virtual performances by Grammy Award winning artists Sounds of Blackness are scheduled, along with live music and kite flying.
"What Juneteenth has evolved into is multiple events for people in the community," Vetaw said. "You may have a more arts-focus, music-focus, or you may have something for seniors that are specific for populations within the African American community."
A virtual community panel discussion entitled "Public Safety: Where Do We Go From Now" will take place Saturday from 10 a.m. until noon.
"I want to learn what the community wants, especially African American community members," Vetaw said. "We're fighting against murders in our communities by police and also by other community members. It's important for me to hear from people living in these communities and who are most effected by public safety and policing."
Commissioners recently voted to make Juneteenth and official paid holiday for Minneapolis Park and Recreation staff.
