Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom and a Call to End Mass Incarceration
Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th, marks the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. This day symbolizes freedom, resilience, and the long-delayed promise of justice for Black Americans. But as we commemorate this historic milestone, Juneteenth must also serve as a catalyst for confronting the modern systems that continue to restrict Black freedom, particularly mass incarceration.
Though slavery was legally abolished, the 13th Amendment included a loophole: involuntary servitude is still allowed as punishment for a crime. This clause laid the foundation for a new system of racial control through the criminal legal system. From convict leasing in the post-Civil War South to today’s prison-industrial complex, the over-policing and over-incarceration of Black communities continue the legacy of slavery in different forms.
The Mural Arts Restorative Justice department provides support for an art room at SCI Phoenix, where a group of incarcerated artists work on mural projects and their own individual art projects that address reform, both in prison and in the justice system overall. We strongly believe that the impact of mass incarceration has had a considerable effect on the citizens of Philadelphia, both directly and indirectly. We seek to further the conversation around alternative methods of justice to lessen the damage that is being done to our communities. Please join us on Thursday, June 19th, at Triple Bottom Brewing, as we explore conversations around the work being done to end mass incarceration. In addition, we will be hosting our annual Juneteenth Art Sale at Triple Bottom on Sunday, June 22nd. Please come support our SCI Phoenix artists and our friends at Triple Bottom.
Juneteenth should inspire not just celebration but reflection and action. True freedom demands more than symbolic gestures—it requires dismantling systems that deny liberty. Ending mass incarceration involves deep structural reform: investing in education and mental health, ending mandatory minimums, reforming parole and probation systems, and shifting resources from punishment to prevention.
As we honor the spirit of Juneteenth, we must recognize that the struggle for Black liberation continues. Addressing mass incarceration is not a separate issue—it is central to fulfilling the very promise Juneteenth represents: that freedom, justice, and dignity belong to all.
