Friend, On Sunday, we celebrate Juneteenth. Although it was only recognized as a federal holiday last year, Black people have been celebrating Juneteenth as our “Freedom Day” since 1865. It’s a bittersweet holiday. We sit in tension with its central truths: We must recognize and celebrate our ancestors’ freedom, and we are not yet fully free. In the decades since the end of the Civil War, we have learned that to decree freedom is not enough. Our liberation can only be won through struggle. And the good news is that we have not given up the fight. Though we have borne the brunt of white supremacy and continue to live with the violent depravity of anti-Blackness, we continue to join together to push toward our collective liberation. Because my liberation is inextricably tied to yours. None of us are free until every single one of God’s children is free. That struggle is what we commemorate on Juneteenth. Faith in Action affiliates across the country are celebrating Juneteenth with prayer, cookouts, voter registration drives, and fellowship. Here are just a few of the events taking place: - Vermont Interfaith Action is hosting a panel on prison abolition, followed by a performance of spoken word poetry, on June 18. Learn more on their events page.
- Missouri Faith Voices is spending the week working with Black churches to get pledges for civic engagement, voter registration drives, and building trust within the community. Learn more here.
- Faith in Florida is hosting a community forum on voting on June 20 and a series of events throughout Florida. Download their digital flyers here. #MyVoteIsMyPower
- Voice Buffalo is hosting a Souls to the Polls event on June 18. RSVP here.
- Power Coalition will host events in Baton Rouge and Shreveport. Learn more here.
- Together Colorado is supporting a lawsuit that seeks to end the practice of forced labor in the state prison system- a vestige of slavery that continues today. Sign a petition to support here.
This is just a small slice of the many, many activities lined up this Juneteenth. Be sure to check out what’s happening near you and recommit to the ongoing struggle to achieve our collective liberation. We face so many hardships and challenges, and the stakes are high. Our freedom will not be given to us — we will have to take it. So let’s use Juneteenth as an opportunity to put our faith into action and rise up for liberation. Rev. Alvin Herring
Executive Director
Faith in Action | 
