A peaceful Juneteenth protest takes place today in an effort to change CBE curriculum
Via tetiana.photographer / Shutterstock.com
So today is Juneteenth! And for those of you who don’t know what that is, here’s a quick history lesson. Juneteenth is an American holiday celebrated every June 19th in honour of the same day in 1865. That was the day that enslaved people were officially freed in Texas. Now, you’ll notice we said officially. Because even though the Emancipation Proclamation had formally freed them two years prior, because of incredibly slow enforcement of the proclamation, it wasn’t until two years later that these enslaved people were actually freed.
Today, in an effort to continue pushing the message of equality, justice, and systematic change going forward, the United Black People’s Allyship of YYC is asking you to lace up your marching shoes and join them on the Kensington 10th Street Bridge.
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Today’s march will begin in Kensington and head towards the CBE then City Hall. This march is meant to encourage the Calgary Board of Education to add a minority perspective on historical events like the slave trade and indigenous genocide into our city’s curriculum.
This rally is also hoping to garner the attention and support of Canada’s government to change the face of our $5 bill. Wilfred Laurier was the 17th Prime Minister of Canada who introduced an order in 1911 stating that Canada’s provinces were not suitable for the black community.
‘Canada’s Hidden Hand in Slavery March” will begin today at 2 pm, and continue on well past 5 pm. For more information, we encourage you to visit the UBPA’s Instagram page here or their Facebook page here.
Stand together, stand strong and keep fighting the good fight, Calgary- Black Lives Matter!
CANADA’S HIDDEN HAND IN SLAVERY MARCH
When: Friday, June 19th, 2020
Where: Kensington 10th Street Bridge, SW
Time: 2 pm
