Juneteenth celebration sparks discussion on goals for Palouse CORE
First time members met in person, discussed future plans for Juneteenth, organization
“We really have to keep our eye on the prize, as far as actual policy change,” Palouse CORE member Anthony Haynes, said.
June 20, 2021
The Palouse Council on Racial Equity held a Juneteenth celebration on Saturday at Paradise Creek Brewery.
Around 26 people attended the celebration and discussion. Those who attended were proud to see other community members coming together for Juneteenth, said Palouse CORE member Anthony Haynes.
The celebration was the first time Palouse CORE members gathered in person due to COVID-19 restrictions, Haynes said.
“It was a joy … being able to celebrate, see each other and make connections,” he said.
The room was filled with conversations about Juneteenth and racial justice. After a while the group came together in a “discussion circle” to talk about future plans for the holiday and organization, Haynes said.
Participants in the discussion realized the need for policy change in the community, he said. Members want to incorporate critical race theory into K-12 curriculum and start a citizen review board for the police department.
A citizen review board is a group of residents who are in charge of investigating police misconduct in their communities, according to the National Institute of Justice.
“We really have to keep our eye on the prize, as far as actual policy change,” Haynes said.
