Multiple cities cancel Juneteenth celebrations: What to know

Several cities across the U.S. have canceled Juneteenth celebrations this year, citing a range of concerns from logistical challenges to safety and the evolving political climate.

Why It Matters

Juneteenth, observed on June 19, marks the day in 1865 when the last enslaved African Americans in the United States were informed of their freedom — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

In 2021, President Joe Biden signed bipartisan legislation passed by Congress designating Juneteenth as a federal holiday. The move followed a nationwide reckoning on racial justice sparked by the murder of George Floyd by police in the summer of 2020.

Juneteenth organizers have provided different reasons for cancelling events this year. Though President Donald Trump‘s administration is not directly connected to the cancelations, some organizers said they were cancelling events due to the political climate since Trump’s return to office.

Trump signed an executive order in January directing federal agencies to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. That prompted a New Jersey brach of the NAACP to move its Juneteenth celebration off federal property over fears it could violate the order and prompt retaliation.

Indianapolis, Indiana

Organizers told the Indianapolis Star that they canceled this year’s Juneteenth parade after failing to secure a location for the event with the city.

But Juneteenth will still be celebrated with other events in the city, including a festival at the Indiana State Fairgrounds on June 21.

Organizers said plans for the 2026 Juneteenth parade are underway. “The 2026 Parade is already in the works and will return bigger and better than ever,” they wrote in a post on Facebook last week.

Bend, Oregon

Organizers said they made the decision to cancel Juneteenth celebrations that usually take place in Bend’s Drake Park due to safety concerns.

“As you know, Juneteenth is more than just a holiday for us—it’s a time to uplift our history, celebrate our resilience, and stand in joyful solidarity,” The Father’s Group said in a statement.

“But in today’s increasingly volatile political climate, with rising incidents of racial aggression and threats—particularly toward Black and Latino communities—safety must come first.”

The group said it refused to put the community at risk, saying it would “rather pause now than regret later.”

It added: “But make no mistake—we are not backing down. We are regrouping. And we’ll be back in 2026, stronger, safer, and bolder than ever

Plano, Illinois

Organizers in Plano announced in January that this year’s Juneteenth celebration would not go ahead.

The cancellation was due to circumstances outside of the organizer’s control, “community engagement and negative feedback,” according to a post on the event’s Facebook page.