Oregon Governor Tina Kotek issued a proclamation honoring June 19, 2024 as Juneteenth across Oregon. In 2021, the Oregon legislature passed HB 2168 to officially recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday, the same year it became a federal holiday. Governor Kotek joined the Willamette Heritage Center, Oregon Black Pioneers, and Just Walk Salem Keizer for their annual Juneteenth In Freedom’s Footsteps Walk.

“On Juneteenth, we remember our history and honor the resilience of the Black community,” Governor Kotek said. “We must continue to work to end racial injustice and ensure equity, inclusion, and opportunity for Black Oregonians. It was wonderful to join Oregon Black Pioneers and the Willamette Heritage Center for their Salem Juneteenth Community History Walk honoring Rev. Daniel Jones, an unwavering leader in Oregon.”

The Rev. Daniel Jones was born in 1830 in Reading, Pennsylvania to a father who had escaped his enslavers in Maryland. As a teenager Rev. Jones became a ‘49er and sought his fortune in California’s gold fields. He eventually made his way to Jacksonville, Oregon, and met and married his wife Anne. The family relocated to Salem, where he somehow found time to run a barbershop, attend Willamette University’s college preparatory school, help found a school, become ordained, and plant a church where he made several Emancipation Day speeches. When he was transferred by the Church to New Jersey and Kentucky, he continued to represent Oregon, becoming its delegate to several national Civil Rights conferences.

The talk in the state capitol would have you believe that Oregon’s racist history is all consuming and there is a continuing injustice. Rev. Daniel Jones is one example of why all Oregonians join to celebrate “Juneteenth Independence Day.” The Juneteenth flag tells the story of freedom. It features a star symbolizing the freedom of African Americans in all 50 states, surrounded by a bursting outline inspired by a nova, representing a new beginning for African Americans. That new beginning was June 19, 1865. The flag is raised in celebrations across the country, marking the end of slavery and the beginning of a new era of freedom for African Americans.

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"Juneteenth is like a second Fourth of July for Black Americans," said Zachary Stocks, Executive Director of Oregon Black Pioneers. "It's a day for us to remember our enslaved ancestors, and to celebrate the anniversary of when freedom came to Black people nationwide."

The Willamette Heritage Center, Oregon Black Pioneers and Just Walk Salem Keizer host an annual community history walking tour every Juneteenth Holiday. The vision for this event, which started in 2023, was to bring people together to walk as a community and follow in the footsteps of local families whose lives were impacted by emancipation. The walks tell family stories by visiting the physical locations in which they lived, worked, worshiped, and commemorated the enactment of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Willamette Heritage Center holds historical events throughout the year.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2024-06-19 15:06:17

Last Update: 2024-06-19 15:40:04