We’ve been celebrating Juneteenth for decades.
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Hi John,
I’m Brianni Davillier, a rising college senior, organizer and mover in movements. Ending gun violence is fundamentally an intersectional issue -- one that’s key to the liberation and pursuit of justice for our people -- which is what drew me to this work and to my current role as Regional Organizing Director for March For Our Lives.
I don’t pretend to be an expert, but I understand that my voice, as a Black woman, is needed in this movement. Black communities are most affected by gun violence. Full stop. The same injustices my ancestors faced are still alive and well today, though they may take on new forms. Gun violence is one of those forms.
As folks reflect on what tomorrow means, and on their role in the broader movement for Black liberation, I first want to emphasize that Juneteenth is not new. Black communities have been celebrating this monumental day since 1866. This is bigger than getting the day off of work. It is bigger than parades. It is bigger than “freeing the last slaves.”
Juneteenth highlights the struggles and obstacles that Black folks have had to face at the hand of oppression for centuries, and that we still face today. We have a right to celebrate and grant ourselves peace and compassion because justice has not been served -- not by a long shot -- and the past year has been a reminder of that. I encourage Black folks to take that time and space.
I also encourage non-Black allies to think about how systemic racism shows up in our lives today. From the disproportionate effects of everyday gun violence, to the intentional, targeted divestment of resources from BIPOC communities, to homelessness, food scarcity, segregation, and economic stagnation, there are so many ways our system is far from just.
Lastly, make sure to center Black voices not only this week, but in social justice movements more broadly. Educate yourself, ask questions, and create space for those that don’t already have a seat at the table. Pass the mic, rather than trying to “be a voice” for us. And spread love and kindness, because frankly, it goes a long way.
In solidarity,
Brianni Davillier
Northeast Regional Organizing Director
March For Our Lives

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