Missoula rally celebrates Juneteenth and Pride, speakers warn of federal bill’s threat to Medicaid and urge civic action
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Summary
Speakers at a Missoula community rally called for celebration of Juneteenth and Pride, criticized a recurring federal measure they called the “big, ugly bill” for threatening Medicaid and SNAP benefits, and urged attendees to contact national legislators and join local events.
A crowd in Missoula on Saturday heard community speakers urge celebration of Juneteenth and Missoula Pride while warning that a federal package they called a “big, ugly bill” would cut services relied on by local families.
Founding member of the Montana Black Collective and Empower Montana director (name not provided in the transcript) framed Juneteenth as "not just a holiday. It's a call to action," and urged local allyship and continued work on equity and inclusion.
The rally combined celebration and political appeals. A community speaker warned that "the Medicaid that serves 100,000 Montana children is threatened by the big, ugly bill" and said $45,000,000 could fund a year of SNAP for about 20,000 children, using those figures to illustrate the stakes for local families. A Central High School student, introduced as Eli, said young people often "feel powerless" under current national politics and called for greater civic participation.
Organizers encouraged attendance at Missoula Pride and Juneteenth events, thanked volunteers and an American Sign Language interpreter, and asked attendees to contact national legislators ahead of an expected vote on the federal measure. Maria Zepeda, introduced from the stage, said she was "so grateful that I was born here" and thanked the community for its inclusiveness.
Speakers linked the rally's celebrations to broader civic goals: protecting health and nutrition programs, supporting veterans and youth, and increasing participation in local organizations. Organizers also provided tabling information for people who wanted to volunteer or learn more about local groups and events.
No formal government action or vote occurred at the rally; the event functioned as a community demonstration and outreach opportunity. Several speakers repeated chants and calls to action aimed at federal lawmakers rather than local elected bodies.
The event included an American Sign Language interpreter, Brandy Reinhart, and organizers asked attendees to meet representatives from local organizations under the pavilion after the rally to learn how to get involved.