City of Richmond honors Juneteenth with ceremony

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Today at Richmond City Hall, the City of Richmond honored Juneteenth with a ceremony recognizing culture, resilience and contributions from African Americans.

The event gathered community leaders, cultural stewards, and residencies of music as they raised the Juneteenth flag outside City Hall.

(City of Richmond)

The holiday is celebrated annually on June 19, marking the day in 1865 where enslaved people from Galveston, Texas were informed about their freedom. Juneteenth was passed approximately 2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation -- where slavery ended in the United States.

"Juneteenth reminds us that freedom was not a single moment in time, but a hard-won, ongoing struggle, one that continues today in the fight for equity and justice," said Mayor Danny Avula. "As a city, we honor that legacy not just with words, but with action -- by building systems that create opportunity, protect dignity, and affirm the full humanity of every resident".