MEDIA ADVISORY: San Diego Unified to 'Raise the Flag' in Honor of Juneteenth with Students and Community Partners

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MEDIA ADVISORY

San Diego Unified to 'Raise the Flag' in Honor of Juneteenth with Students and Community Partners

Wednesday, June 15, 2022

WHAT: In celebration of the Juneteenth federal holiday, San Diego Unified School District, in partnership with the People's Association of Justice Advocates, will raise the official Juneteenth flag at the district's central office. The annual flag raising ceremony will be led by Black Student Union Coalition student leaders, who will mark the occasion alongside district leaders, educators, members of the Board of Education, and community organization leaders.

The ceremony represents San Diego Unified's commitment to uplifting the voices of Black students and teaching about important cultural historical events.

WHEN: Friday, June 17 at 10 a.m.

WHERE: Eugene Brucker Education Center Flagpole, 4100 Normal St., San Diego, CA 92103

VISUALS: Community, district and student leaders gathered; a brief speaking program; students raising the Juneteenth flag

SPEAKERS: District leaders, Board President Dr. Sharon Whitehurst-Payne, President of the People's Association of Justice Advocates Shane Harris, BSU Coalition student leaders

BACKGROUND:

In June 2020, the San Diego Unified Board of Education passed a resolution recognizing Juneteenth as a holiday, "to be observed every year, as a day of celebration of the past, present, and future of Black resilience, culture, and liberation." In 2021, President Joe Biden officially recognized Juneteenth as a federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans. That year, San Diego Unified raised the official Juneteenth flag for the first time with the support of many community members, including Shane Harris, who donated the Juneteenth flag that was used.


Continuing the tradition of raising the Juneteenth flag this year signals the ongoing work of the District outlined in the 2020 Board resolution to, "teach the importance of Juneteenth and current movements such as 'Black Lives Matter' that advance liberation efforts for the Black community with classroom lessons throughout the year."

RELATED LINKS:
"Raise the Flag" Juneteenth Flag Raising Event Flyer<https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FdTXxQxjGKzRJQMvKQ2-INwD9GTABP9n/view?usp=sharing>

This event is for professional journalists. Please confirm attendance in advance: communications@sandi.net<mailto:communications@sandi.net>

MEDIA CONTACT: Maureen Magee, Communications Director, San Diego Unified School District, 619-381-7930, mmagee@sandi.net<mailto:mmagee@sandi.net>

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