Photos: Celebrating Unity at Tucson’s Juneteenth Festival with Gov. Hobbs & Community Leaders

In a historic first, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs attended the Tucson Juneteenth Festival, highlighting the significance of the day that marks the end of slavery in the Southwest. The event, held at the Kino Sports Complex, celebrated its 55th anniversary this Saturday.

Juneteenth, observed next Thursday, commemorates the arrival of Union troops in Galveston Bay, Texas, on June 19, 1865. This pivotal moment marked the liberation of over 250,000 enslaved individuals, more than a year after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

During her address, Hobbs expressed her sympathies for the families affected by the recent shootings in Minnesota. Notably, Minnesota House Democratic leader Melissa Hortman and her husband were tragically killed, while State Senator John Hoffman and his wife survived a targeted attack.

Hobbs underscored the legacy of Juneteenth, emphasizing its importance in American history. She was accompanied by notable local figures, including Pima County Board of Supervisors Chair Rex Scott, Pima County Recorder Gabriella Cázares-Kelly, County Attorney Laura Conover, Tucson Chief of Police Chad Kasmar, and NAACP Tucson Branch President Cheree Meeks, further enriching the festival’s atmosphere.