Group seeks state Juneteenth observance
A group trying to establish official state and national Juneteenth holidays is holding a "grass-roots picnic" at Sunset Park on Saturday.
The event will feature an appearance by the Rev. Ronald Myers, founder and chairman of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation.
"I'm here to rally support for legislation to make it a day of national observance," like Flag Day or Patriot Day, Myers said by phone Thursday. "We're not asking for a national paid holiday.
"And I'm working with members of the Nevada Legislature to get Juneteenth as a day of observance."
The Las Vegas event also will honor local jazz musician Ghalib Ghallab for lifetime achievements. The event, which will feature musical and spoken word performances, begins at 6 p.m. and is free.
"While this is a grass-roots movement, it is not a new movement, nor an unsupported one," said Dee Evans, Nevada state director of the Juneteenth group.
Juneteenth began as African-American celebrations marking the freeing of slaves in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865. The holiday's name is a blend of June and nineteenth.
Although President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Sept. 22, 1862, news of the end of slavery didn't reach frontier areas, particularly in the Southwest, for another 2½ years.
Juneteenth is recognized as a holiday or day of observance in 36 states, including Arizona, California, New Mexico and Alaska. Myers said his group is pushing to add Nevada to that list.
