"MWRD of Greater Chicago Raises Juneteenth Flag," WBBM Chicago
WBBM Chicago: The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago Begins Juneteenth celebrations.
On June 19, 1865, a Union general informed enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, that they were free — two and half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued.
Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021 and is embraced as a nationwide celebration of Black history.
MWRD Board of Commissioners and staff gathered in front of the Barbara J. McGowan Main Office Building for their fourth annual Juneteenth flag raising Friday.
Kari Steele, President of the Board of Commissioners at MWRD, says they were the first Illinois government agency to make Juneteenth an optional holiday.
"The Juneteenth flag symbolizes a compass that guides us through our history, through the hard-fought struggles that marked the end of slavery."
The flag raising comes as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives are being axed across the U.S.
"It's the United States of America. We need to stay united, we have to stay supporting each other and be positive to create the change we want to see in our environment," Steele said.