Andre' Watson

Juneteenth National Independence Day is a federal holiday in the United States. It is celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. And as happens each year, several local events commemorate the day. WEMU's Caroline MacGregor was joined by the President of the NAACP Ann Arbor branch, Andre' Watson, to talk about what is going on locally, but more importantly, what this day means to residents in Washtenaw County.

With attention to racial profiling in traffic stops by police in Ann Arbor, there’s a renewed call to action by those personally affected. WEMU’s Caroline MacGregor reports.

Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of the last slaves in the United States. It was June 19th of 1865 in Texas when the last last slaves were freed under the Emancipation Proclamation that was signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862. The holiday was first observed in Ann Arbor in 1994 and has been observed ever since. WEMU’s Caroline MacGregor discussed the local significance of the day with Ann Arbor NAACP president Andre' Watson.