ELLENVILLE – Juneteenth marks a profound turning point in American history. On June 19,1865, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to finally deliver the news that all enslaved people were free. Today, it is a federal holiday celebrating freedom, resilience, and the ongoing journey toward true equality.
Ellenville resident Carl Dixon talked about what the holiday means to him.
“The tenacity and the growth that these people, my ancestors, and I’m here to celebrate their sacrifice,” he said. “I’m here to celebrate the fact that we’re still here.”
He said that because of the political climate that we are in, there’s more work to be done. “This was the day that we finally found out that we were free, and we are still fighting for the same thing today,” he said. “We face the same situation.”
Ellenville NAACP President Maude Bruce said this day is about compassion.
“If they believe in the struggle, if they believe in civil rights, it should be celebrated by all people.”
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