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DeKalb County, Georgia – The city of Decatur and the Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights were scheduled to host the city’s first June 17 celebration on Saturday, June 19, but the event was canceled due to bad weather. The Avondale Alliance for Racial Justice also canceled its June Jubilee Walk which was also due to take place today.
Both groups are planning to reschedule their events and details are forthcoming regarding the celebrations.
The town of Clarkston has canceled its June 17 celebration and postponed the event to Saturday, June 26 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Milam Park, said council member Debra Johnson.
Stone Mountain still hosts its Juneteenth festival, rain or shine, depending on the city.
Stone Mountain City Council issued a proclamation last year making June a statutory holiday and this year they are celebrating with a big block party downtown on Main Street. The event will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. today and will feature fireworks, live music, dancers, drummers, vendors and a tribute to the late US Representative John Lewis.
City council member Jasmine Little was a force behind the event.
“I just think it’s important that people celebrate freedom,†she said. “I would love to see our city do a lot of festivals. But this one just seemed to have come at the perfect time. And it is fair.
The celebration that marks the end of slavery also takes place in the city known for having the largest Confederate monument in the world. Few people don’t know if organizing a Juneteenth event will change people’s perception of the city.
“I think every time you try to change a perception it takes time,†she said. “I don’t know if this will change anything, but I just know we’re just going to have fun.”
Writer Patrick Saunders contributed to this article.
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