Portland Juneteenth Celebrations: Freedom Day Marches, Speakers, Music, Rides & More!

In 2020, Juneteenth falls on Friday. Juneteenth, also known as “Independence Day” or “Freedom Day”, commemorates the June 19, 1865, announcement of the abolition of slavery and the emancipation of African American slaves.

On September 22, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation effectively ending slavery on January 1, 1863, however, the Proclamation had little effect in the State of Texas until two and half years later. It was on June 19, 1865, that Union General Gordon Granger read federal orders in Galveston, Texas, that all previously enslaved people in Texas were free.

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2020 Portland Juneteenth Events & Celebrations

June 18: IBEW Local 48 Presents Black Lives Matter Union Rally in SE Portland’s Russellville| 4-7PM (more info)
June 18: Beloved Festival Presents Livestream to Benefit The Black Resilience Fund | 7-11PM, Featuring 25+ Artists (more info)
June 19: Jazz Fundraiser for Don’t Shoot PDX | 4-5PM, Hosted by Anandi, Featuring Music by Marilyn Keller, George Colligan, Kerry Politzer (more info)
June 19: Holocene Presents Power to the Youth Juneteenth Celebration | 8-11PM, Featuring Live Sets from Wav Pro, Scooty & DJ Timothy Bee (more info)
June 19: Juneteenth Celebration March @ Lake Oswego’s Millenium Park | 3-6PM (more info)
June 19: Self Enhancement, Inc. Presents Black Like Me Juneteenth Celebration | 5:30PM, Featuring Local Leaders & Community Voices (more info)
June 19: The Northwest Film Center and the Portland Art Museum present Miss Juneteenth | Online Streaming (more info)
June 19: Juneteenth Block Party @ Peninsula Park | 2-10PM, Food, Music, Games (more info)
June 19: Hollywood Theatre Presents Blaxploitation classic PETEY WHEATSTRAW w/live commentary from comedian Donnell Rawlings | 6:15PM (more info)
June 19: Juneteenth Black Liberation Ride | 5:30PM Meet @ Irving Park (more info)
June 19: Portland Made Presents Make Peace PDX | 9AM-10PM, Auction to Support Black Futures (more info)
June 20: Jack London Revue Presents Juneteenth Oregon | 1PM, Featuring PDX Jazz, Special Appearances by Community Leaders (more info)
June 21: Creativity in Revolt- The Heart of the Soul Pt 2 | 1PM, Live Stream & Listening Party Funding Portland’s Black Order, Pueblo Unido, Refugee Support Group (more info)