Juneteenth weekend in Athens celebrated the city’s first Black mayor and its previous Black elected officials.
Two separate celebrations were held in Athens on Juneteenth weekend in remembrance of the liberation of enslaved Black Americans and the city’s previous and new Black elected officials.
On Friday, June 19th, Historic Athens, in partnership with the city, hosted their ‘Athens Juneteenth Celebration’ downtown. During the event, a petition to name the new green space on East Washington Street after Athens' first two Black elected officials received over 1,000 signatures.
The following day, Saturday, June 20th, Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement hosted their ‘Classic City Juneteenth Music and Arts Festival’ at Georgia Square Mall.
The event included a libation ceremony and parade into the mall where several speakers, including newly elected Mayor Dexter Fisher, spoke on the historical significance of the holiday.
