How the Eagles, Sixers, Phillies, and Flyers are celebrating Juneteenth
Juneteenth, the too-often-overlooked June 19 holiday celebrating the day in 1865 when slaves were officially freed, is at last having a moment of recognition.
Amid ongoing nationwide protests over the murder of George Floyd, which saw millions speak up about institutional racism and police brutality, some are starting to have more honest conversations about race and racial inequality, a large part of which includes listening and learning for the more privileged.
In the sports world, institutions of power like the NFL and NBA decided to make Juneteenth a paid holiday for employees, certainly a step in the right direction.
And here in Philadelphia, the city’s pro sports teams all took steps Friday to commemorate and celebrate the holiday:
Phillies
The Phillies posted a list of partner organizations “making a positive impact within the Black community”:
?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2020On this day of reflection and learning, we’re proud to highlight some organizations we work with that are making a positive impact within the Black community: https://t.co/WSrl4dhvqt#Juneteenth pic.twitter.com/fPimN1FMgI
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies)
On this day of reflection and learning, we’re proud to highlight some organizations we work with that are making a positive impact within the Black community: https://t.co/WSrl4dhvqt#Juneteenth pic.twitter.com/fPimN1FMgI
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) June 19, 2020
Phillies outfielder Andrew McCutchen posted a link to a petition aimed at making Juneteenth a national holiday:
?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2020Join me in signing the petition to make #Juneteenth, the day commemorating the abolition of slavery in 1865, a National Holiday. https://t.co/AIWqLxqwdJ #ThePlayersAlliance pic.twitter.com/vJQcROX0sW
— andrew mccutchen (@TheCUTCH22)
Join me in signing the petition to make #Juneteenth, the day commemorating the abolition of slavery in 1865, a National Holiday. https://t.co/AIWqLxqwdJ #ThePlayersAlliance pic.twitter.com/vJQcROX0sW
— Andrew McCutchen (@TheCUTCH22) June 19, 2020
Eagles
Earlier this week, the Eagles sent a team-wide email informing all employees that the NovaCare Complex offices would be closed Friday in observation of Juneteenth.
In future years, the Eagles said, the organization plans to participate in “social justice community service events” to commemorate the importance of the day.
The team also decided to use its Twitter account on Friday to use its platform for good, and highlight local organizations “leading the way”:
Here’s a list of the organizations the team highlighted:
– Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence
– The University of Pennsylvania’s Netter Center for Community Partnerships
– Frontline Dads
– MenzFits
– Philly Mothers in Charge
– Philadelphia Auto & Parole
– Philadelphia Futures
– Philadelphia Opportunities Industrialization Center
– The Center for Returning Citizens – Philly
– Youth Sentencing & Reentry Project – Philly
Running back Miles Sanders also shared a simple but uplifting Juneteenth message:
Celebrate Freedom!
— Miles Sanders (@BoobieMilesXXIV) June 19, 2020
Flyers
The Flyers announced they would be using their Twitter account Friday to “amplify impactful messages and inclusive community programs”:
?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2020In honor of Juneteenth, we will be taking a pause from our normal hockey content and will be using our platform to amplify impactful messages and inclusive community programs.
— x-Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers)
In honor of Juneteenth, we will be taking a pause from our normal hockey content and will be using our platform to amplify impactful messages and inclusive community programs.
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) June 19, 2020
So far, they’ve retweeted posts from the @discoverPHL, NHL Network, and Penn Medicine accounts:
?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2020.@VisitPhilly highlights 12 ways you can celebrate #Juneteenth today, including live-streamed reenactments, shopping from local black-owned businesses, and more.#discoverPHLhttps://t.co/yDnMi4r3Py
— discoverPHL (@discoverPHL)
.@VisitPhilly highlights 12 ways you can celebrate #Juneteenth today, including live-streamed reenactments, shopping from local black-owned businesses, and more.#discoverPHLhttps://t.co/yDnMi4r3Py
— discoverPHL (@discoverPHL) June 19, 2020
?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2020Celebrate Juneteenth on NHL Network. pic.twitter.com/syQIRl5l2G
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork)
Celebrate Juneteenth on NHL Network. pic.twitter.com/syQIRl5l2G
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) June 19, 2020
?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2020Today on #Juneteenth, we ask the entire Penn community to reflect on what we can do to dismantle systemic racism and structural barriers to equality. Together, we will listen, learn, and lead. These efforts can no longer wait. Now is the time to act. pic.twitter.com/eXcN9GxVb3
— Penn Medicine (@PennMedicine)
Today on #Juneteenth, we ask the entire Penn community to reflect on what we can do to dismantle systemic racism and structural barriers to equality. Together, we will listen, learn, and lead. These efforts can no longer wait. Now is the time to act. pic.twitter.com/eXcN9GxVb3
— Penn Medicine (@PennMedicine) June 19, 2020
Sixers
The Sixers shared a message giving background on the holiday:
?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2020Today is for reflection, acknowledgement, education, and celebration.#Juneteenth pic.twitter.com/kmwZCsrWT0
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers)
Today is for reflection, acknowledgement, education, and celebration.#Juneteenth pic.twitter.com/kmwZCsrWT0
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) June 19, 2020
Union
The Union haven’t yet tweeted about Juneteenth, but they spent the morning on Twitter recognizing and amplifying the newly-founded Black Players Coalition of Major League Soccer:
?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2020We hear you. We’re listening & will continue to elevate your voices.@BPCMLS | @MLS | #MLSisBLACK pic.twitter.com/JabdqEjydQ
— PhilaUnion (@PhilaUnion)
We hear you. We’re listening & will continue to elevate your voices.@BPCMLS | @MLS | #MLSisBLACK pic.twitter.com/JabdqEjydQ
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) June 19, 2020
Click here to download the MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Flyers, Sixers and Phillies games easily on your device.
