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Slim Majority In Support of Private School Vouchers Following Tuesday’s Primary Runoff Results

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2024-05-30

Slim Majority In Support of Private School Vouchers Following Tuesday’s Primary Runoff Results

HD-118 Emerges as the Last Defense Against Private School Vouchers Following Tuesday Night’s Primary Runoff Results

Following Tuesday’s primary runoff election results, in which Governor Abbott and his anti-public school faction declared victory in their assault on public schools after spending millions to secure a slim majority in support of private school vouchers, HD-118 Democratic nominee Kristian Carranza released the following statement:

“Greg Abbott’s radical agenda to steal billions of Texas dollars for the GOP’s voucher scam can only be stopped by flipping battleground seats like House District 118. In his multi-million dollar crusade to shrink his party’s tent and exact vengeance, Abbott makes clear there is no room for independent thought in his party and he will happily sacrifice our children’s public schools to prove it. Voters across HD-118 are well aware that John Lujan was among the first to toe the line for Abbott’s voucher scheme. Time and again in the legislature, he rejected bipartisan efforts to fund our public schools. Instead, he voted for a partisan scam to siphon money to private schools with no accountability. As the most competitive state house district in Texas, HD-118 represents our last opportunity to fund public schools, hold the line against private school vouchers, and provide all Texas children with the education they deserve to successfully navigate their futures. That’s why our campaign will be reaching out and extending a hand to all voters, including community-minded Republicans and Independents, who are tired of party-first politics that leave our children behind. After last night’s results, the stakes for public education are clear. I’ll be a bold voice for investment in our public schools and will push back against anyone using them as bargaining chips for special interests. It’s time for change in House District 118.”

About the Candidate: Kristian Carranza, 33, is a champion for working families running for the Texas House this November because she’s tired of inaction on the part of elected Republicans. Born and raised in House District 118 on the Southside of San Antonio by a single mom, Kristian understands the challenges facing Texas families firsthand. She began a career in community organizing as a way to uplift the voices of working people. Since then, she’s registered 10,000 voters in Texas, enrolled families in the Affordable Care Act, and managed multi-million dollar budgets for progressive candidates and causes. Now, after more than a decade working on the ground in her community, she’s ready to take the fight to the state capitol and work to expand Medicaid, fully fund public schools, combat the rising cost of living, restore reproductive rights, and stand up for ALL Texans.

About the Race: Kristian Carranza became the Democratic nominee for House District 118 after winning her two-way primary on March 5th by 27 points. She will face Republican incumbent John Lujan in the November 5th general election. House District 118 stretches from the Southside of Bexar County to the Interstate 35 corridor through Selma. As the only state house seat represented by a Republican that both President Biden won in 2020 and Beto O’Rourke won in 2022, House District 118 is the most flippable seat in Texas.

The product of San Antonio public schools, Carranza has earned the endorsement of Texas American Federation of Teachers. She has also built an extensive list of local, state, and national endorsements that includes EMILYs List, Planned Parenthood Texas Votes, Latino Victory Fund, Annie’s List, AFL-CIO COPE, Laborers’ Local 1095, Plumbers & Pipe Fitters UA Local 142, IBEW Local 60, CWA Local 6143, NALC Local 421, AFSCME Texas Retirees Chapter 12, the San Antonio Building Trades, Northside AFT, SA Alliance, Texas Latina List, Sierra Club, Run for Something, Mothers Against Greg Abbott, the Bexar County Young Democrats, Congressman Joaquin Castro, Congressman Greg Casar, Congressman Lloyd Doggett, Former County Judge Nelson Wolff, Former Mayor Phil Hardberger, Hon. Gina Ortiz Jones, Hon. Rosie Castro, and San Antonio City Councilmembers Melissa Cabello Havrda and Jalen McKee-Rodriguez.

‘It was just chaotic’: Passengers don life vests on Spirit flight | WATCH

News

Observer Staff

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2024-05-30

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‘It was just chaotic’: Passengers don life vests on Spirit flight | WATCH

The incident happened Sunday on Spirit Airlines flight 270 from Montego Bay to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport

Travelers on a flight to Fort Lauderdale received quite a scare when they were told to put on their life vests after a suspected mechanical issue forced their plane to return to Jamaica.

The incident happened Sunday on Spirit Airlines flight 270 from Montego Bay to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

A Spirit spokesperson said the plane suffered a suspected mechanical issue and returned to Montego Bay out of an abundance of caution.

But during the incident, travelers were instructed to don their life vests.

Video posted on social media showed passengers sporting the yellow life vests as a member of the flight crew can be heard giving instructions.

Passengers said they were in the air for about 10 minutes when the pilot told everyone to prepare for a water landing. Over 200 passengers were then told to put on the life vests.

“He told us exactly that we needed to make an emergency water landing and at that point, fear ran through my bones. Everyone on the plane panicked,” passenger Will Smith said. “When I looked out of the window, all I saw was blue, so I’m thinking this is real. We’re about to go in the ocean. I’m saying my prayers to die at this point, seriously. It was that traumatizing. I thought I was not going to make it.”

Shancy Faison was on the flight with her husband and said her life jacket wouldn’t open at first, causing some momentary panic.

“They didn’t specify what was wrong,” Faison said. “We were returning back, making a U-turn back into the island, to the airport. Then shortly, I would say 10 to 15 minutes into landing before we arrived, he made an announcement saying that we were going to have an emergency water landing. That’s when everyone freaked out. It was just chaotic. Everyone started grabbing their emergency vests under their seats. We saw the flight attendants running back and forth on the plane. Some were saying put on our vests, some were saying do not put on our vests. I then reached under my seat to try to try and retrieve my water vest and the case the vest was in would not open.”

The plane landed safely and guests deplaned. No injuries were reported.

“Safety is our top priority, and the aircraft will be thoroughly evaluated by our maintenance team,” Spirit said in a statement. “We apologize to our Guests for any inconvenience, and we arranged a new aircraft to complete the flight to Fort Lauderdale.”

120 Degrees! Brace Yourselves San Antonians, NWS Predicts ‘Above-Normal’ Summer Season

Observer Staff

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2024-05-28

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120 Degrees! Brace Yourselves San Antonians, NWS Predicts ‘Above-Normal’ Summer Season

A New Normal? As extreme weather conditions become more common, NASA stresses climate preservation, while Texans worry about recovering from catastrophic storms, energy security, and high temperatures

Brace yourselves, San Antonians. Although it’s still spring, summer temperatures have already arrived. South Texas faces more excessive heat, with the heat index expected to reach up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas this weekend. While actual temperatures will be lower, the high humidity will make it feel much hotter.

The National Weather Service predicts a 50-60% chance that our region of Texas will experience hotter-than-average temperatures, indicating an ‘above-normal’ season.

May typically marks the beginning of the hot weather we Texans endure each year. However, this year we are facing more than just high temperatures. Powerful storms have ravaged Texas, destroying homes and schools, downing trees, and shattering windows in high-rise buildings. Tornadoes battered the Greater Houston are on May 16 and North Texas this patch weekend, with winds surpassing 100 mph. Multiple people across the state including children have died due to these catastrophic events.

PLACES TO ‘STAY COOL’ MAP

Click on the below map to view a full list of cooling centers and hours of operation:

San Antonio Cooling Centers, Summer 2024

Last year, NASA announced that the summer of 2023 was the hottest ever recorded. During this time, hundreds of millions of people around the world experienced extreme heat, and each month from June through December set a new global temperature record for that month.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson stated, “From extreme heat, to wildfires, to rising sea levels, we can see our Earth is changing. There’s still more work to be done, but President Biden and communities across America are taking more action than ever to reduce climate risks and help communities become more resilient…”

The increasing frequency and intensity of such extreme weather conditions align with scientific predictions about the impacts of global warming. Scientists warn that without significant efforts to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate impacts, the severity and frequency of extreme weather events will continue to rise, posing greater risks to ecosystems, economies, and human health.

As temperatures rise and more people crank up their air conditioning, the energy needed to keep millions comfortable and safe during this upcoming summer will be at an all-time high.

Texans are likely to wonder if the state’s power grid is prepared to meet electric demand. Previously, ERCOT has asked residents to conserve energy 11 times last summer and twice during a January arctic blast.

Venkat Tirupati, ERCOT’s vice president of DevOps and Grid Transformation stated, “Power plants and transmission facilities across the state have been upgraded to ensure they can withstand extreme temperatures…” Legislation passed in 2021 after the February 2021 freeze requiring energy providers to “weatherize” their facilities after some power plants shut down during Winter Storm Uri.

No matter what this summer brings, it is important to stay cool and hydrated while also being mindful of A/C usage. As a new normal arises from these high temperatures, the City of San Antonio is committed to helping all residents stay cool during extreme heat. To provide relief from the intense heat, several places are open to the community, including libraries, senior centers, and park community centers.

Additionally, splash pads and community swimming pools are available for cooling off. For more details, see the “Places to Stay Cool Map” above. Stay cool.

Honoring the Fallen: Obama Reflects on the Sacrifices Remembered on Memorial Day

National

Observer Staff

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2024-05-28

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Honoring the Fallen: Obama Reflects on the Sacrifices Remembered on Memorial Day

Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of May, is a solemn occasion dedicated to honoring and remembering the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who have sacrificed their lives in service to our nation. The origins of this day trace back to the post-Civil War era, initially known as Decoration Day, when citizens would decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers. Over time, this day evolved into Memorial Day, a national day of remembrance for all who have died in military service.

This past Monday, former President Barack Obama commemorated Memorial Day by placing flags at the gravesites of soldiers who have perished in the line of duty. Reflecting on the significance of the day, Obama shared his heartfelt thoughts: “One of the greatest honors of my life was the privilege of serving as commander-in-chief, and with pride also came sometimes heartbreak and loss. And the sober recognition of the sacrifices that so many Americans and their families have made to preserve our freedom.”

Memorial Day is more than just a long weekend; it is a time for Americans to pause and reflect on the profound cost of freedom. It is a day to honor the courage, dedication, and ultimate sacrifice of the servicemen and women who have laid down their lives for the country. Obama eloquently captured this sentiment, stating,

“On Memorial Day, we honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. We owe them so much, and their memories will never be forgotten.”

Their sacrifices remind us of the true price of liberty and the enduring strength of our nation.

DOES ANYONE CARE ANYMORE?

Fernando Rover Jr.

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2024-05-28

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Hypnagogia: The Impact of Contention

Hypnagogia is described as the transitional state between wakefulness and sleep. According to a 2020 Healthline article, “During hypnagogia, it’s common to experience involuntary and imagined experiences…. up to 70 percent of people experience these hallucinations, which can appear in the form of sights, sounds, or even feelings of movement.”

Hypnagogia can be used as the perfect metaphor for understanding the transitional state between knowledge and ignorance and the transitional state between empathy and apathy.

The state of the world is in a deep state of hypnagogia right now as the involuntary experiences of politics, violence, and discrimination begin to appear. Occurrences of school shootings, waging poverty, epic war sagas, and the revolution of artificial intelligence have impacted one’s ability to discern and understand perspectives from one’s own.

Writer Andy Hopkins, in his 2022 article for Ball State Daily News, “Calling Apathy to Action”, writes, “one of the biggest issues facing today’s world is the lack of people who care…when asked about an issue, many may have an opinion about the topic, but how many people are out there taking action? Would we rather sit back and watch “Thursday Night Football” or “Grey’s Anatomy” than spend our time trying to make the world more sustainable?”

This begs the question of to what extent are people caring or not caring? Take the issue of school shootings. According to data provided by Education Weekly, “there have been 24 school shootings this year that resulted in injuries or deaths and 168 such shootings since 2018.”

One of the biggest points of contention has been to focus more on collective action and less on thoughts and prayers. Specifically, much scrutiny has been on those in local and state government positions and their reluctance to take real action regarding laws on gun control.

Through the lens of hypnagogia, the discussion around school shootings is going through a transitional state between knowledge and ignorance and empathy and apathy. It is impossible to ignore the harrowing school shooting incidents as they have happened at record speed. Due to the individual effects of privilege, everyone has a different opinion on what the best plan of action is. Some believe bans on guns are too drastic and imagine that their unalienable rights would be taken away. Some believe gun bans would only alleviate a symptom of a bigger problem. As a result, there is a delay in applying a plan of action.

Using hypnagogia as a metaphor is simply a mechanism to help explain the impact of contention that is going on today. Certainly, this metaphor can be another form of the popular euphemism “woke”. Nonetheless, what it also demonstrates is that knowledge and ignorance or empathy and apathy aren’t just a sudden occurrence.

It is something that transitions back and forth over time.

Unity Was on Full Display at the SANPHC 2024 Cookout

Community

Observer Staff

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2024-05-28

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Unity Was on Full Display at the SANPHC 2024 Cookout

The south Texas heat did not deter the over five hundred people who attended the San Antonio National Panhellenic Council (SANPHC) 2024 Cookout held at Pickrell Park last weekend.

Established in 1930, the National Pan-Hellenic Council’s primary mission is best described on its website and reads, “The purpose of the NPHC shall be to foster cooperative actions of its members in dealing with matters of mutual concern. To this end, the NPHC promotes the well-being of its affiliate fraternities and sororities, facilitates the establishment and development of local councils of the NPHC, and provides leadership training for its constituents.” In following the NPHC’s lead, SANPHC makes it a point to organize and engage with its members to strengthen organizational and communal relationships.

The San Antonio Pan-Hellenic Council (SA-NPHC) was chartered 52 years ago on March 30, 1972. Due to their collective dedicated, zealous efforts, the San Antonio National Pan-Hellenic Council was chartered and serving the Alamo City as a collective ever since.

SANPHC 2024 Cookout, Photos Courtesy of Bro. Earle Scott

The success of the SANPHC 2024 Cookout, even on a blistering Texas day, is yet another example that SANPHC members are willing to support overall initiatives aiming toward communal wellness.

Unity was on full display during the cookout and the event’s chairman, Brother Scott Earle, Vice President of the SANPHC, took notice. “Different colors coming together for a common goal was on full display,” said Earle. “The different generations coming together allowing children and young adults to witness Black Greek culture was a positive planting of seeds for the future.”

“As a father, I was proud that my teenage daughter was able to see the undergraduate representation which was a bit closer to her age than the members of graduate chapters she usually experiences. Up until the cookout, she mostly watched TikTok Greek shows, but now she was immersed in a live and living color version of the Greek Life experience. We in this area are not the ‘blackest’ of cities, but yesterday we witnessed black excellence in the Alamo City.”

Just as excited was the SANPHC Corresponding Secretary, Sis. Natania “Tiny” Mathis, Alpha Alpha Xi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. When asked about her overall feelings about the cookout, Mathis shared her in-depth thoughts. “I think it was what our culture needed,” said Mathis. “We haven’t hosted a Divine Nine (D9) gathering on this scale since 2019, so D9 members, our family, and friends were ready!”

“We had over 500 attendees come together for fellowship, to eat, and for the service of providing meals to those in need at @SAMMinistries. Honestly, I could not have asked for a better time, and I am proud of the event’s success and look forward to next year where this Annual event will be held on May 24th, 2025.”

For more information on the SANPHC, please visit their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/SanAntonioNPHC

Article By: Bro. Edward S Jones, New Braunfels (TX) Alumni Chapter, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Southwestern Province

5,000 CRAZED LUNATICS

Mario Salas

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2024-05-28

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The Horrible Racist History of Texas

The horrible history of Texas includes some of the most barbaric acts in the history of the United States. The crime of rape was one of the weapons that white supremacists used to murder Black men with lynch mobs that eerily remind us of the Capitol riot in the century. Mobs of crazed white supremacist often marched on the jail and courthouse in order to kidnap suspects accused of raping a white woman. The system of white supremacy was strictly enforced in Texas and when Blacks were accused of violating segregation laws they were beaten, jailed, hanged, or tortured. Nothing was worse than being charged with raping a white woman—most often it would mean an automatic death sentence.

In 1930, a Black man named George Hughes was charged with rape in Sherman, Texas. A mob assembled at the courthouse and removed Mr. Hughes The judge had the suspect removed to a steel vault to keep the mob at bay, but they set the courthouse on fire and M. Hughes was burned inside the vault. The white racist mob cut fire hoses top prevent the fire from being extinguished. His corpse was removed and taken to the Black side of town and hung upside down and burned again. The mob also set fire to Black people’s homes in the area. In Fannin County, named after a Texas slave owner, George Johnson was killed when officers fired some two thousand rounds into his house. His body was removed and taken to the Black section and hung upside down and set on fire. In Beaumont, Texas, Curtis Thomas was accused of rape and was shot multiple times and died before a mob could kidnap him from the hospital. When another white woman claimed to be raped some 5,000 crazed lunatics marched to down town Beaumont burning and looting stores. They later went into the Black community and beat any Black person they could find, and burnt down black businesses and homes. Thousand of Blacks were chased from their homes while many of them were afraid to go to a hospital for fear of being lynched there.

There were many horrors in Texas including the burning alive or hanging of one Black person every year, sometimes more than one, for thirty years mostly in East Texas from 1895 until 1930 and beyond. Black people in Texas faced deep-seated hatred by white supremacists and those Whites not actively involved in overt racist act sat by and approved of segregation or went along with the hatred. Whites who refused to hate people because of skin color also faced violence or threats. Blacks had to go to separate venues ranging from restrooms, parks (Comanche Park in San Antonio refused Blacks in the 1950s), theatres, drinking foundations, schools, libraries, restaurants, and even graveyards and swimming pools. Whites fought hard to keep from sharing any facility that serviced them only. Blacks could not serve on juries and were denied the right to vote. No one can honestly claim that segregation was better for Black people.

Approximately, 200 Blacks were murdered by Whites between 1883 and 1905, and another 200 between 1904 and 1930. Sometimes, after Blacks were hanged the crowd would use the body for target practice, shooting at the dangling body until it fell apart. Texas was a savage place to live if one were Black, Brown, or Native American. White supremacy ruled Texas with an iron fist. Man hunts for Black men accused often by rumor only were attacked or chased by lawmen or racist lunatics.

“ACT YOUR AGE” NOW STREAMING

Connor Wiley

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2024-05-28

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Netflix Lands Bounce TV Original Show “Act Your Age,” Now Streaming

Kym Whitley. Tisha Campbell. Yvette Nicole Brown. The three of these women have been superstars in the comedy/sitcom scene since the 90s and early 2000s. If you don’t know their names, then you’ll surely recognize them from their respective supporting roles on shows like “Martin,” “That’s So Raven,” and “Community,” and in movies like “Next Friday” and “Little Shop of Horrors.” If you’re a fan of comedy or sitcoms, then you’re definitely familiar with these three. The trio recently teamed up in the series “Act Your Age,” which premiered on Netflix last week and is currently in the top five trending shows on the platform.

“Act Your Age” is a sitcom molded from and inspired by the likes of “The Golden Girls” and “Living Single,” focusing on the lives of three women in their 50s living together in a lush apartment in the D.C./Northern Virginia area. Whitley, Campbell and Brown star as the hilarious trio with wildly contrasting personalities who are bound together by a lifelong bond. Though a bit cheesy at times (like most sitcoms), “Act Your Age” is ultimately a wholesome and feel-good comedy great for binging on a lazy evening. When the show debuted on Bounce TV in 2023, it became the most-watched series launch in the network’s history.

Unfortunately, it was revealed last year by creator Alyson Fouse that “Act Your Age” had been canceled after its first season, despite its massive success. It was a surprise when the show was initially canceled, considering its commercial triumph. In a recent interview for “What’s on Netflix,” Fouse admitted that,

“during the [Hollywood writers and actors] strike, I was informed that Bounce would not be picking up the show [for a second season]… It felt like a punch in the gut. I was shocked.” However, with the newfound praise and acclaim that the series is currently receiving, it’s a significant possibility that the show’s rights will be sold and picked up by an outside production company for a second season. According to Fouse, “there were a few inquiries right after the strike, so we’ll see what happens. Fingers crossed.”
– Alyson Fouse, Creator “Act Your Age”

You can watch the 16-episode series on Netflix now, and with all the recent buzz and sensation surrounding the show, more episodes can hopefully be expected to come in the future.

Bexar County Voter Eligibility, Are You Still Registered After The Texas Purge?

Gordon Benjamin

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2024-05-28

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Bexar County Voter Eligibility, Are You Still Registered After The Texas Purge?

Verify Your Bexar County Voter Eligibility, Are You Still Registered?

As the last of the Primary Runoff elections have concluded, concerned voters must remain vigilant as to whether one is eligible and registered to vote. Verifying your Bexar County voter eligibility is crucial.

Accessing Bexar County Elections website, allows a voter to enter one’s street address and confirm if they are currently registered. The state of Texas’ verification site is www.votetexas.gov.

There have been recent efforts, in some states, to “purge” voters from the voter rolls, for various reasons. The two most common ones have been not voting within a certain timeframe or a voter being “unresponsive” to a state’s attempts to verify their status by mail.

Texas has seen legislation, in 2021, which focused on “unresponsive voters could be on a suspend list”, if voters had not cast a ballot within two years. If no response was received, to a notice for another two years, they would be kicked off the voter rolls.

To many observers, it appears that what government seems to be concerned about is “the perception of potential voter fraud, even if it doesn’t occur, and the possibility that it might occur in the future, even if it hasn’t occurred in the past, which leads to this type of reform”, per a Rice University professor.

Texas has had its own “purge” in 2019, that removed “tens of thousands of naturalized citizens from the voter rolls”, using outdated citizenship data, from the states Department of Public Safety. The Campaign Legislative Center sued Texas, resulting in a settlement that required the state to revise its program and stop cancelling naturalized citizens voter registrations, based on outdated records.

Last efforts to ascertain Texas’s compliance with the National Voter Registration Act came in 2022, after questions arose regarding Texas’s “stonewalling public monitoring” intended to ensure that all citizens have equal access to the ballot. Again the Campaign Legislative Center filed a federal complaint, challenging Texas’ flouting of its obligations under Federal Election law. U. S. citizens have the right to vote and “states cannot impose additional registration requirements, dependent upon a citizen’s nation of origin.”

Moving forward, it appears that public monitoring is necessary to enforce the constitutional guarantees and to protect against state programs that might otherwise deny certain U.S. citizens right to vote, in a discriminatory fashion. Under the NVEA, states are required to maintain accurate and current voter rolls, to ensure that all eligible applicants are properly registered.

In 2022, records reflected a massive disenfranchisement and racial disparities, in the primaries, as a result of the passage of Texas’s SB 1, which has come under close scrutiny, in federal lawsuits, which have found a part of that Legislative measure to be unconstitutional, in violation of the “materiality provision”, of Section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

Diligence and persistent actions, by citizens and community based organizations, will prove valuable in holding our governing bodies accountable in citizens having unfettered access to the ballot box and the power that it affords us.

Voting is necessary to be influential and to be recognized in this society.

Make A Difference: Register and Vote!

Juneteenth Prayer Breakfast 2024

Events

Observer Staff

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2024-05-28

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As Juneteenth approaches, the San Antonio community anticipates the Juneteenth Annual Prayer Breakfast, presented by the San Antonio Juneteenth Commission. This event will take place on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at 9 a.m. at The Witte Museum. Sponsored by Methodist Healthcare Ministries, the prayer breakfast offers a unique opportunity for the community to come together in celebration and reflection.

Juneteenth, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, is a time for honoring freedom and progress. The Annual Prayer Breakfast is a cornerstone of these celebrations, providing a space for communal prayer, inspiration, and unity. Attendees will gather to celebrate the historical significance of Juneteenth, reflect on the journey towards equality, and acknowledge the ongoing efforts needed to achieve true freedom and justice for all.

Join us on June 8th for a morning of fellowship, inspiration, and remembrance as we honor the spirit of Juneteenth and the freedoms it represents. Visit https://www.juneteenthsanantonio.com/ for tickets.