County Commission celebrates Juneteenth

With the June 14 meeting canceled, the Sandoval County Commission was a little late in celebrating Juneteenth. Wednesday, the commission recognized the federal holiday, which commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans.

Juneteenth is celebrated on the anniversary of the order by Major General Gordon Granger proclaiming freedom for enslaved people in Texas on June 19, 1865.

At the June 28 meeting, District 5 Commissioner Joshua Jones read a proclamation declaring June 19, 2023, as Juneteenth in Sandoval County and recognizing the important role the Rio Rancho branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People plays in the community.

“Sandoval County recognizes the significance of Juneteenth and the importance of of promoting diversity, equality and the contributions of African Americans to our community,” Jones said. “The Rio Rancho chapter of the NAACP has been instrumental in advocating for civil rights, promoting social justice and empowering African Americans in our county.”

Jones also spoke about the impact African Americans have made in Sandoval County.

“African Americans have made significant contributions to growth, prosperity and cultural fabric of Sandoval County, enriching our community through their talents, leadership and unwavering commitment to creating positive change,” Jones said.

Jones then singled out Amina Everett as a person who has done just that. Jones introduced Everett and read her lengthy and impressive list of accomplishments, which includes volunteer work with the United Way, being the treasurer for the Rio Rancho NAACP and graduating from the Rio Rancho Citizens Police Academy.

Everett first thanked everyone who attended the Juneteenth celebration at Campus Park on June 16 before speaking on the importance of Juneteenth.

“I know that a lot of us did not have this in school. We weren’t educated, and it’s something that is a critical part of our American history,” Everett said. “It’s now an official federal holiday. Juneteenth National Independence Day. It’s also called Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, Jubilee day and Black Independence Day. It is the holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.”

After talking about the history of slavery in America and in New Mexico, Everett read General Order No. 3, which Granger read to soldiers in Galveston, Texas, in 1865 and informed the people of Texas that all enslaved persons were now free.

“This order was critical to expanding freedom to enslaved people,” Everett said. “It foreshadowed the fight for equal rights to come. This is a very important time in history. It’s a microcosm for the struggle of African Americans and all Americans in general to live out the democratic promises of this country.”