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Olympia raises Juneteenth flag as officials recall local history and press for continued work
Summary
City and state officials joined BUILD members at a Juneteenth flag-raising in Olympia where Mayor Dante Payne highlighted the local story of Charles Mitchell, the governor's proclamation was read, and Lt. Gov. Denny Heck reflected on the long arc toward equality.
Andre Simpson, lead of the history and activities subcommittee of BUILD (Blacks United Leadership and Diversity), welcomed attendees to a Juneteenth flag-raising ceremony in Olympia on June 19, 2026, and introduced a program of remarks and the ceremonial flag raising.
"Happy Juneteenth," Mayor Dante Payne said in remarks that connected the national holiday to a local history: he recounted the story of a 13-year-old enslaved boy, Charles Mitchell, who Payne said escaped from Olympia to Victoria, British Columbia, via the Puget Sound Underground Railroad. Payne linked that history to the state-level study of reparations, saying "justice delayed is justice denied" and urging continued work to correct harms to Black Americans, including those in Olympia and Washington state.
Devon Brim, introduced as chair of BUILD, said the ceremony was intended to honor those who "came before us" and to recommit to protecting freedom. Marcus Glasser, director of the Washington State Department of Licensing, read a Juneteenth proclamation on behalf of Governor Bob Ferguson that cited the Emancipation Proclamation and the June 19, 1865, enforcement that gave rise to the Juneteenth observance. In reading the proclamation, Glasser declared June 19, 2026, as Juneteenth in Washington and urged residents to reflect on the holiday's significance.
Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck, who was introduced after the proclamation, tied the occasion to broader civic milestones. He contrasted the Declaration of Independence’s aspirational language with historical realities and said that the work toward equality continues, adding light-heartedly that at the flag-raising he would "give it 1 crank in commemoration of the progress that has been made" and "2 cranks in recognition of all the progress we have yet to make together."
Organizers closed the formal program by thanking participants and partners, inviting attendees to an event check at the L&I Building on Wednesday from 1 to 4 p.m., and asking attendees to gather on the steps for photos before the flag was raised. Event staff confirmed the order of the flag-raising: Marcus Glasser, Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck, and Mayor Dante Payne would lead the ceremony.
The ceremony focused on commemoration and local history; no formal actions or votes were recorded during the event.
