Event: Panel Discussion on Racial Injustice in Recognition of Juneteenth

 When: June 19, 2020

 Time: 5-6:30

 Event Description:

The country is currently in the midst of several weeks of protesting against racial injustice and police brutality, spurred by the killing of George Floyd by police officers in Minneapolis, and the shooting of Breonna Taylor by police officers in Louisville, Kentucky. Mr. Floyd and Ms. Taylor are among many Black Americans who were victims of abuse and brutalization by law enforcement officers, who rarely, if ever, face criminal consequences for their actions.

 The City of West Hollywood joins protestors and others in their collective outrage, and we passionately support the fight against racial injustice, the dismantling of systemic racism, and the rights of peaceful assembly and protest. To continue the conversation and engagement on these issues, the City will host a virtual panel discussion on issues of racial injustice and police violence. The participants will provide a critical lens and legal/historical perspective on why the movement is happening in the way it is today, and how we, as a progressive, LGBTQ+ identified community can be engaged in next steps to create meaningful change.

 The panel discussion will take place on June 19, which is Juneteenth, the date that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.  It was on this day in 1865 – two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation – that news reached Texas that the Civil War had ended, and the slaves were freed. Juneteenth is not only a reminder of a painful chapter in American history, but it also serves as an opportunity for us to recommit ourselves to combat all forms of modern-day slavery, human trafficking, and racial injustice as well as to continue to fight for freedom.

Panelists include:

The Honorable Mark Ridley-Thomas (Welcome and Introduction), Los Angeles County Supervisor

Barbara Arnwine (Panel Moderator), President & Founder of Transformative Justice Coalition

Sinbad, actor, comedian, and activist

Marcus Smith, Emmy Award-winning Executive Producer of KTLA 5 Morning News

Marquita Thomas, Executive Director of the LGBT Chamber of Commerce

Jasmyne Cannick, political strategist & journalist working on the intersection of race and politics

View the panel:

Community members may live-stream the panel discussion by visiting the City’s website at www.weho.org/wehotv or on the City’s YouTube channel; on streaming services such as AndroidTV, AppleTV, FireTV, and Roku; and through broadcasts on Spectrum channel 10 in West Hollywood and AT&T U-verse channel 99 throughout Southern California. Digital streaming platform viewers can easily find programming by searching for “WeHoTV” within the search functions of these services.

Members of the public wishing to ask questions of the panelists prior to the meeting may email alovano@weho.org no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 18.