By Lisa Carolin
Juneteenth will be observed in Chelsea on June 19, and the Chelsea Human Rights Commission will have a table at Sounds and Sights on June 20 with information about the holiday.
That was discussed by HRC members at its June 5 meeting. Chelsea City Council approved a proclamation for June 19 to be declared as Juneteenth Independence Day. The holiday is a celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation decreeing all people held as slaves be henceforth free.
Members of the HRC heard from Jasen King, a teacher in the Young Adult Program in Chelsea for the Washtenaw Intermediate School District.
King spoke about the program and said one of the goals is to work on transitions for students such as employment, social activities, independence, and being able to advocate for themselves. He said that the program is student driven and that each student determines what type of studies to pursue, what type of work, and where they hope to live. There were 10 students in the program during the past school year, and King said that Chelsea businesses have been kind and supportive to students in the program.
HRC members talked about the June 1 Pride March in Chelsea that was attended by close to 100 people. HRC Chair Mary Keaton called it a successful event and thanked Kate Mehuron with Equality Chelsea for organizing it.
The next HRC meeting will be on Wednesday, July 10, at 7 p.m.
