Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Juneteenth Support topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Juneteenth organizers and community leaders ask Renton to restore support and avoid schedule conflict
Summary
Community leaders representing Skyway and multiple Renton neighborhoods asked the council to reconsider withholding support for Juneteenth 2025, citing community coordination, historical leadership by Renton organizers and a request to avoid conflicting local event dates.
Organizers and community leaders from Skyway and other Renton neighborhoods asked the City Council Tuesday night to restore support for Juneteenth events and to avoid scheduling conflicts that split attendance.
Cheryl Jackson Williams, who said she represents young leaders and community members from Skyway, Benson Hill, Cascade, Fairwood, Kennydale, Highlands and Downtown Renton, told the council 572 community members contacted her asking the city to reconsider a decision they believed withdrew support for Juneteenth. “They want a Juneteenth celebration to happen in the city of Renton,” Jackson Williams said, asking the council to “realign your efforts with what community has asked for.”
Dr. Evan Smith, who identified himself as a pastor and community leader, said he was disappointed by what he described as the council’s decision to withhold funds and support for the 2025 Juneteenth event if the date was changed. “Juneteenth in Renton was started before it was an official holiday,” Dr. Smith said, and he urged the council to continue support and partnership with longstanding community organizers.
Speakers said coordination across neighboring jurisdictions and local events is important so Juneteenth celebrations do not compete for the same audience. Dr. Smith and Jackson Williams asked for consistent municipal support and clearer communication with community organizers about funding and scheduling.
Ending: The council did not announce an immediate reversal of funding or a new schedule for Juneteenth during the meeting; organizers asked for further engagement and for the city to restore support for the event.
