Assembly Resolution No. 1548

BY: M. of A. Peoples-Stokes

COMMEMORATING the 50th Annual Juneteenth Day
celebration in Buffalo, New York

WHEREAS, Juneteenth, short for "June nineteenth," is a holiday
commemorating the effective end of slavery in the United States on June
19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas; and

WHEREAS, On June 19, 1865, General Granger's Order No. 3 was read
aloud to the people of Texas and stated: "The people of Texas are
informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of
the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equity
of rights and rights of property between masters and former slaves, and
the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between
employer and free laborer."; and

WHEREAS, Juneteenth became a day of celebration and reflection for
freed slaves and their descendants to recount the memories of that great
day in 1865 when freedom was proclaimed; and

WHEREAS, While Juneteenth is a time for celebration, it is also a
time for reflection, service, education, self-improvement, and respect
for all cultures; celebration participants often listen to elders
recount the past, attend prayer services, and learn from educational
speakers; and

WHEREAS, In 1975, as America prepared to celebrate its bicentennial,
many African Americans questioned whether the promises of freedom and
equality truly included them; in Buffalo, members of the civil rights
organization B.U.I.L.D. - "Build Unity, Independence, Liberty, and
Dignity" - under the leadership of William L. Gaiter, then executive
director of B.U.I.L.D., decided to create a celebration centered on
Black history, culture, resilience, and freedom; and

WHEREAS, After hearing about the celebration in Galveston, Texas,
Gaiter moved quickly with community leaders including Claudia M. Sims,
Eugene L. Pierce, Judson Price, Enid Wright, Gail Wells, Roosevelt
Wardlaw, and many others to organize Buffalo's first Juneteenth
celebration; their goal was larger than a festival - it was about
creating a movement rooted in pride, unity, and cultural identity; and

WHEREAS, In June 1975, B.U.I.L.D formed a coalition of block clubs,
businesses, artists, educators, historians, clergy, and activists to
plan the event; their efforts made Buffalo one of the first northern
cities to establish a Juneteenth Festival; and

WHEREAS, On June 26, 1976, despite a week's delay caused by rain,
Buffalo's first Juneteenth kicked off as planned; and

WHEREAS, The celebration opened with a parade along Jefferson Avenue
featuring marching bands, drill teams, floats, dancers, and community
organizations; thousands lined the streets while vendors, artists,
musicians, and poets transformed the neighborhood into a vibrant
expression of Black culture and creativity; and


WHEREAS, An estimated 75,000 people attended the first festival with
palpable joy; the community showed up and showed out with cheering
crowds on Jefferson Avenue, running from East Delavan Avenue down to the
War Memorial Stadium; new murals decorated vacant storefronts and the
street was packed with vendors, poetry readings, art, music, dancers,
and so much more; and

WHEREAS, Juneteenth in Buffalo represents more than a single
celebration - it represents community ownership, Black pride, and
cultural continuity that would be persevered for generations; and

WHEREAS, Buffalo's Juneteenth celebration has evolved into one of
the largest celebrations in the nation; in 1985, the festival became its
own independent organization; current Juneteenth President Carrone Evon
Crump has carried the festival's torch of leadership and dedicated
volunteers help sustain the festival year after year and truly reflects
ordinary people doing extraordinary work for their community; and

WHEREAS, The festival endured through societal changes, economic
struggles, and even the COVID-19 pandemic, during which the festival was
celebrated online; in 2022, after the tragic massacre at Tops Friendly
Markets on Buffalo's East Side, organizers debated whether the festival
should continue that year, and after reflection, organizers decided the
community needed Juneteenth more than ever; and

WHEREAS, That year, Juneteenth became not only a celebration, but
also a place of healing, support, and unity for Buffalo's East Side
community; and

WHEREAS, Today, Buffalo Juneteenth welcomes thousands annually and
stands as a symbol of resilience, self-determination, and cultural
pride; many who attended as children now serve as volunteers and board
members, continuing the legacy which started nearly 50 years ago; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Buffalo, New York's annual
Juneteenth parade and celebration.