LINC is proud to recognize today, June 19th or Juneteenth as a day of action and reflection. Our staff will take the day off to engage in a day of individual or collective action and reflection in celebration of black history and in solidarity with our black communities.
Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States, when union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas on June 19th, 1865, to announce slaves had been emancipated TWO YEARS prior. That’s right. Texas was known as a lawless southern territory where white plantation owners continued to operate brutal and forced labor despite the emancipation proclamation signed into law by Abraham Lincoln declaring all slaves forever free as of January 1st, 1863.  
For years, the enslaved people gave countless hours of free labor to their owners. Since emancipation, we have been making up for that lost time. So in true solidarity with our ancestors, it’s only right that we declare this to be a day free of labor. Today we’re reclaiming our time. Take this time to reflect with those in your life and express gratitude for the black community. Get educated, volunteer and show solidarity. There are so many ways to celebrate from dining at Black-owned eateries and shopping at Black-owned businesses to reading stories of Black heroes. Juneteenth celebrates African American freedom and achievement, while still planning for future improvement. It also represents the ways that freedom for Black people has been delayed throughout history. 45 states and the District of Columbia have passed legislation recognizing Juneteenth as either a state holiday or a day of observance, but it is not yet a national holiday. Here are 17 ways to recognize Juneteenth with kids:  https://www.weareteachers.com/teaching-juneteenth/ . There are many Juneteenth events across NYC and endless creative suggestions for adults. Read how to take action and be part of the movement: https://www.hellajuneteenth.com/ways-to-take-action . LINC would love to hear how you celebrated this day of freedom. Please share it with the hashtags #hellajuneteenth #juneteenth2020, #blacklivesmatter, #blackjoymatters and tag @linc_nyc on social media.