New Orleans has a special place in the history of Juneteenth, for while Texas was the last place where our enslaved ancestors learned that legal slavery had been ended, New Orleans was the first.

On September 22, 1862 President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation stating in part that "all persons held as slaves… are and henceforward shall be free". On January 17, 1863, General Order No. 3, the President's Proclamation Declaring Slavery Abolished in the United States of America, was read at the St. Charles Theater and was followed by what is considered the first Jubilee celebration, when over 200 formerly enslaved and free people of color marched to Congo Square to celebrate with each other.

Join us in the rhythm of our ancestors on June 19th in the Ashé parking lot for the Long Walk to Liberation Drum Circle featuring drummers, dancers, healers, artists, activists, and musicians as we pay homage to this iconic date in our collective struggle.

This year’s Juneteenth drum circle is dedicated to the life and legacy of Portia Pollock.