JUNETEENTH 2020
[The stage is dimly lit. The backdrop depicts the silhouette of the Brooklyn Bridge against a fiery orange sunset. The sound of distant footsteps grows louder, building tension in the air. The spotlight illuminates Sarah and Michael, their determined faces etched with purpose. The audience feels the energy as the marchers prepare to step off.]
Sarah (with conviction): (Raises her fist) Tonight, under the shadow of this magnificent bridge, we stand united against injustice! Juneteenth marks the triumph of the human spirit over the chains of slavery, and we march not just in memory of the past but in defiance of the present!
Michael (with enthusiasm): (Pounds his chest) We refuse to be silenced! We refuse to bow down! (Raises his voice) We, the blood vessels of one body, the soul of a resilient nation, march with love as our shield and hope as our guide!
[The marchers begin their journey, their footsteps synchronized, echoing through the stage. The atmosphere crackles with raw emotion.]
Narrator (voiceover, echoing): (Intense) The Brooklyn Bridge, witness to countless stories, now bears witness to a new tale—one of courage, unity, and unyielding determination.
[The stage is alive with movement. Trained marshals patrol, their presence commanding respect. Acts of kindness unfold—a protester offers water, and another shares a spare mask. The tambourine’s gentle sound fills the air, a melodic backdrop to the unfolding drama.]
Sarah (shouting above the noise): (Raises her tambourine) Let our footsteps be heard across the river! Let our unity shake the foundations of injustice! We march, not just for ourselves, but for every voice silenced, for every dream deferred!
Michael (raising his voice, defiant): (Points towards the distant horizon) Look at us! We are the embodiment of resilience! We are the embodiment of change! (Pauses, his voice softening) And though the road ahead may be long and arduous, we march with unwavering faith.
[The marchers, driven by an unbreakable spirit, continue their journey across the symbolic bridge. The stage glows with their collective resolve, casting a powerful aura that captivates the audience.]
Narrator (voiceover, with intensity): (Emphatic) On this night, under the arches of the Brooklyn Bridge, they wrote a new chapter in the book of humanity—a chapter etched in love, unity, and the unyielding belief that together, they would overcome.
[The stage grows brighter as the marchers reach the other side of the bridge. They stand tall, their fists raised high, their faces illuminated with fierce determination. The audience erupts into applause, moved by the dramatic portrayal of courage and hope.]
Sarah (shouting, triumphant): (With tears in her eyes) We did it! We crossed the bridge of division and emerged stronger, united, and filled with hope! (Pauses, catching her breath) Our march is not over. It has only just begun!
[The stage fades to black, leaving the audience with a profound sense of inspiration and a reminder that the fight for justice and unity continues.]
WATCH THE RECORD OF THE RALLY June 19, 2020.
Mister Nas learned the cause of Juneteenth in the USA:
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is a significant holiday in the United States that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. The primary cause of Juneteenth can be traced back to the following historical events and developments:
- Emancipation Proclamation (1863): On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared that all enslaved individuals in Confederate-held territory would be set free. While this was a monumental step toward freedom, it had limited practical impact on the Confederate states, as they were not under Union control.
- Union Advancements in the Civil War: As the Civil War progressed, Union forces made significant advancements in the South. These advancements brought them closer to Confederate-held territory, where slavery was still widespread. Union military victories contributed to the eventual enforcement of emancipation.
- Juneteenth: June 19, 1865: The most significant event leading to Juneteenth occurred on June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas. He read General Order No. 3, which declared that all enslaved individuals in Texas were officially free. This event marked the effective end of slavery in the United States more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
- The Spread of the News: General Granger’s announcement in Galveston set off a ripple effect as the news of emancipation spread throughout Texas and other parts of the former Confederate states. Enslaved individuals who had long awaited their freedom celebrated this momentous occasion.
- Communities and Celebrations: The newly freed African Americans and their descendants began to commemorate June 19th as Juneteenth, a day of jubilation and reflection. They organized gatherings, picnics, parades, and other celebrations to honor their newfound freedom and heritage.
- Challenges and Progress: While Juneteenth marked a pivotal moment in the struggle for civil rights and the end of slavery in the United States, it also marked the beginning of new challenges. African Americans faced ongoing struggles for equality and civil rights, including the fight for voting rights and an end to racial segregation.
Today, Juneteenth is celebrated across the United States, not only as a commemoration of the end of slavery but also as a day to recognize the ongoing pursuit of racial equality and social justice. It stands as a reminder of the enduring legacy of the African-American community and their contributions to the nation’s history and culture.
On Juneteenth (June 19th, 2020), we joined a march of unity, solidarity, and love! It’s an occasion to show that people of all races and ethnicities can unite to raise humanity and overthrow color supremacy— together.
We chose Juneteenth because it’s a day of celebration marking the end of slavery in America, a day when we should focus on love and hope—even if daily acts of racist oppression show us how far we are from the absolute dream of those dreamers from the era of Abraham Lincoln through the period of Martin Luther King up until the murder of G. Floyd and ongoing police misconduct unknown. But by marching together on Juneteenth in a spirit of love, we’re showing that we’re committed to continuing the work of those who fought before us for diversity in society. Asian, Latin, Black, and White are blood vessels of one body. One soul.
Department of Education faculty staff from public schools in New York City gathered at Brooklyn Bridge Park at 5 p.m. and stepped off at 6:30 p.m. to walk across the bridge. This was a masked and social distancing march—measures we took to show our love for each other. We were also committed to nonviolence and sharing a peace/love vibe, but since we couldn’t control everything, we saw trained marshals on hand who cut their teeth in groups.
We see random acts of kindness! We see people with an extra bottle of water for protesters. We brought spare masks. Instead of chanting and singing things that might spread the virus, we got our pink tambourine thinking about other kinds of noisemakers.