Kandea  Ghandhi

Juneteenth in Berkeley on June 15th, 2025, arrived on the heels of a day of mass mobilization in defense of democracy that drew millions of Americans and friends from around the globe the day prior, on June 14th, the No Kings Day of action. 

So the feeling in the air remained buoyant and lively the following morning, when Berkeley residents joined together, as they do each year, in  the spirit of community to recognize this important holiday, Juneteenth, on Father’s Day. The joyful national holiday reflects the abiding desire of all people to live lives free from bondage, enslavement, misery, and all forms of injustice and oppression. It is a special time of remembrance. Juneteenth is an opportunity for African Americans to celebrate, as their ancestors once did, when they learned that the long struggle and civil war to abolish the abomination of chattel slavery had ended victoriously. 

See snapshots of the League members: Some new, some returning, and others currently in leadership, who turned out to enjoy the peaceful festivities and be on hand to register eligible citizens to vote. Becoming a voter, who can freely exercise their fundamental right to vote and contribute to democratic engagement in this reactionary moment in American history, is the least we can all do. We must all do our part.

Join us next year if you missed the opportunity to participate in person, or help us organize our involvement and volunteers remotely in 2026. Contact media@lwvbae.org to learn more!