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The Juneteenth flag, emblazoned with a bursting new star, slid into place between the U.S. flag and California state flag atop the flagpole at Vallejo’s MLK Park Monday to applause from a group of elected officials, advocates and community members.

“Let us be filled with joy,” said Vallejo City Councilmember Helen-Marie Gordon, one of the dignitaries who spoke at the downtown event. “Let it symbolize the hope and unity in our pursuit of equality. One voice is powerful, but many are even more powerful.”

Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865, the day Union soldiers arrived to take control of Texas and enforce the emancipation of slaves in the state, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. The bursting new star symbolizes the new beginning for Black citizens in Texas that was finally realized that day.

“Vallejo was the first city in Solano County to raise the Juneteenth flag, right after President Biden signed off on it,” said Angela Jones of the African-American Family Reunion Committee. The committee organizes Vallejo’s annual Juneteenth festival and held the flag-raising in concert with the City of Vallejo. President Biden proclaimed June 19, 2021, as Juneteenth Day of Observance.

“We’re thankful to be here today to celebrate the positive contributions of African Americans and promote the opportunity to build strong communities,” Don Jordan, president of the committee, told the group of around 40 people who made space in their day for the afternoon event.

Jordan got some love from the crowd when he noted, “Without the Black woman in the Black community, we would be nothing.”

Patricia Hunter, president of the NAACP Vallejo Branch, said, “We look forward to working with Mr. Jordan. He said that when women are in the house, things get done,” and ended her remarks with, “Let freedom ring in color!”

The Reverend Darnell Manuel of Union Baptist Church said, “We commemorate, but we still fight on.”

Vallejo’s Vice Mayor, Peter Bregenzer, introduced Gordon and welcomed all to the event. Councilmember Charles Palmares told the group, “Juneteenth is a moment for remembrance, but also for joy.”

Representatives of state Sen. Christopher Cabaldon, Assemblywoman Lori Wilson and Solano County Supervisor Cassandra James also attended the event, as did Vallejo City Manager  Andrew Murray.

The flag-raising was just one element of the city’s Juneteenth celebration, with the Juneteenth Festival coming up June 21 at Barbara Kondylis Waterfront Green preceded by a parade through downtown Vallejo.