AfSV Statement on Juneteenth
June 19, 2020 – Today, the United States marks Juneteenth, a holiday that commemorates the formal end of slavery in the country. This year’s celebration comes on the heels of weeks of civil rights protests to advance the cause of Black people being treated equally under the law.
The Hizmet participants recognize the insidious racism that has pervaded the United States for centuries and stands in solidarity with those who champion equality and the rule of law.
We remain committed to pursuing understanding among all people—equal in the eyes of God as they should be on earth—through dialogue between faiths, cultures and groups. Today is a day to listen to the struggles of our Black neighbors, to work to understand this painful history and to pray for a future that brings us to peace and harmony among every person.