Dame Dr. Ayin Adams Leads Juneteenth Celebration

Civil Rights Activists Dr. Ayin Adams, O.O.S.J., Rev. Kedar St. John, Shelley St. John, Ciaara Carlsen (Knights/Dames of O.O.S.J.) address the community on Peace, Non-Violence, Racial Disparities, Healing, and Forgiveness.

Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino presents the Juneteenth proclamation to African Americans on Maui Association spokesperson Ayin Adams. Other Juneteenth supporters include ( left to right) Bryant Neal, Patricia Roberts, Adams, Mayor Victorino, Gwen Gorg and Kahu Leiohu Ryder. Photo courtesy of Gary T. Kubota   in Maui Now..  

June 19th also known as "Juneteenth" also called "Freedom Day" and "Liberation Day" is the anniversary of the day that slaves in the U.S. were freed.  Despite the Emancipation Proclamation signed on January 1, 1863, Texas did not free its slaves until  June 19, 1865 when Union army general Gordon Granger announced federal orders in Galveston, Texas, proclaiming that all slaves in Texas were free and enforced the order.