Newsletter: Remembering those still enslaved on Juneteenth
Plus, a run-down of Juneteenth festivities in San Diego and a road closing protest against ICE.
Today is Juneteenth, the annual celebration of the end of slavery in the United States.
While most forms of slavery in America ended in the 1860s, there are still enslaved people to this day through the country’s prison industrial complex. That’s because the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution allows slavery and involuntary servitude “as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted.”
According to The Sentencing Project, a nonprofit researching and publishing information about the state of prisons in America, the number of people in the country's jails and prisons has increased by 500% over the last 40 years. From 2000 to 2016, the number of people incarcerated in private prisons — for-profit, correctional facilities with government contracts — increased by 47% across the country.
The California Legislative Analyst’s Office reported that in 2023, county jails held about 59,300 adults and state prisons had about 96,000.
A 2023 report from California’s Reparations Task Force called for sweeping prison reforms, including prohibiting involuntary servitude and paying fair market value to incarcerated people for any labor they provide. The task force also pushed for emphasis on rehabilitation in the state’s correctional facilities to reduce recidivism, or the likelihood that a formerly incarcerated person will reoffend.
But, during last year’s election, California voters failed to pass Proposition 6, which would have ended the state’s ability to punish prison inmates by forcing them to do involuntary work. It also would have allowed state prisons to create volunteer assignment programs through which prisoners could earn credits to reduce their sentences.
As it currently stands, those who refuse to work in state prisons can be punished for refusing to do so.
So what’s next for prison labor reform in California?
In February, the state’s Legislative Black Caucus announced its priority bill package, which includes Assembly Constitutional Amendment 6, a measure from California Assemblymember Lori Wilson, a Democrat representing Solano and Contra Costa counties, to prohibit all forms of slavery.
State Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, a Democrat representing Los Angeles County, authored Assembly Bill 247 for inmate firefighters to earn 2 days off their sentences for each day served in an assignment following training. It would also increase wages to $7.25 an hour — down from the original $19 per hour that was proposed when the bill was updated in March — when inmates are working on an active fire.
Right now, inmate firefighters earn $5.80 to $10.24 per day with an extra $1 per hour when assigned to an active emergency, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
If you’re interested in supporting prison reform efforts, here are some ways to help, according to the Vera Institute of Justice, a nationwide organization that advocates to end mass incarceration:
- Advocate for change: Contact your California State Assembly members to share your support of ACA 6 and/or AB 247. You can find out who your State Assembly and Senate District representatives are by visiting Find Your Rep. You can also push for executive action by writing a letter or message in support of prison reform to California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
- Support local and grassroots efforts: Donate to or volunteer with organizations advocating for change. Some organizations working on this issue include the Abolish Slavery National Network, Legal Services for Prisoners with Children, Anti-Recidivism Coalition, California Coalition for Women Prisoners, Second Chance, Initiate Justice, Restorative Justice California and the San Diego Organizing Project.
- Comment on legislation and policy: Submit comments for or against upcoming bills through the California Legislature Advocates Portal.
— Lauren J. Mapp
Celebrate Juneteenth across San Diego
Juneteenth marks the anniversary of the legal end of slavery in the United States, and has grown into a vibrant celebration of Black freedom, culture and community. From surf lessons and a BBQ at La Jolla Shores to a historic neighborhood festival in Southeastern San Diego, explore the many ways to honor the holiday locally.
— Lauren J. Mapp
Arrests at detention center protest
Police arrested at least five people at a protest outside Otay Mesa Detention Center on Friday after the demonstrators blocked the road to the facility for a couple of hours. As frustrated employees tried to leave the facility to go home, some of the protesters asked them how it felt being detained. The protesters said they hoped to block buses of detainees from reaching the detention center.
— Kate Morrissey
Explore San Diego’s spooky lore
To celebrate Friday the 13th last week, we launched Moonlight San Diego — a new, occasional series highlighting all things creepy in the region. While the alleged unlucky day is already past, it’s always a good day to explore one of San Diego’s haunted hotspots.
— Lauren J. Mapp
Other news
As part of the nationwide No Kings protests against the Trump Administration’s policies, more than 60,000 people marched through downtown San Diego on Saturday. Orchestrated on the same day as the “Grand Military Parade” in Washington, D.C., other demonstrators rallied in Carlsbad, Oceanside, Carmel Valley, Chula Vista and Escondido.
Political Science professor Carl Luna told KPBS that the demonstrations were unprecedented in that they were the biggest in the region’s history, and the San Diego Police Department tweeted that the city “stayed classy” and that there were no arrests or other incidents of note.
San Diego has revived a plan to create a safe parking site for unhoused families with children thanks to a $250,000 budget allocation in the City Council-approved budget, Voice of San Diego reported. Last year, the project at the vacant Central Elementary in City Heights — which will provide support for families living in vehicles — seemed unlikely to happen after the city received less funding from a grant than expected.
This week, KPBS published a story about Pala Rez Radio, a station on the Pala Reservation that shares the community’s culture, history and language. The radio station — which started in response to poor communication related to the October 2007 wildfires — includes time checks throughout the day in Pá'anexily (Cupeño), the Pala Band of Mission Indians’ traditional language.
An’s Dry Cleaning on Adams Avenue has been named the top ice cream shop of the year by USA Today for the second consecutive year, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported. The shop opened in 2018 in a space that was once a dry cleaning business. An's has leaned into that legacy by naming its gelato flavors after types of fabric and using ironing board-shaped tables topped with iron-shaped napkin holders.
Upcoming Events
June 19
“Sun Goin’ Down”: In his first solo exhibit of the year, UC San Diego MFA painter John Singletary explores biblical themes, his family lineage and Southern Black life and folklore in “Sun Goin’ Down.” Singletary will spin classic records during the evening, which will also feature a projection of documentarian Les Blank's 1968 short film “The Blues Accordin' to Lightnin' Hopkins.” 6-9 p.m. Oolong Gallery, 6030 La Flecha, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
June 20
Gothic Pride: This 21+ alt-queer party will be hosted at The Rail and promises “industrial beats” and underground energy. Proceeds will benefit Goth Collective’s Pride Parade Float. Tickets at therailsd.com. 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., 3796 Fifth Ave., San Diego, CA 92103
June 21
Juneteenth BBQ and Summer Kick Off: Join Paddle for Peace in an all-day, family friendly Juneteenth celebration at La Jolla Shores Beach. The day will celebrate Black joy and culture with a BBQ, live music, drum circle, group run, beach clean up, kids corner and surf lessons.
The event is free to attend, but food tickets are $8 each. RSVP online. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. La Jolla Shores Beach, 8246 La Vereda, La Jolla, CA 92037
June 21-22
Lao Food Festival: Taste a wide array of foods during the 3rd Annual Lao Food Festival at the Allied Gardens Park on Saturday and Sunday. The day will include food vendors selling traditional Lao foods like khao lam (grilled bamboo stuffed with rice), kua mee (soy caramelized rice noodles) and sai oua (Lao sausage).
There will also be a papaya salad making contest, a spicy papaya salad eating contest and a lao beer garden. Discounted online ticket sales end Friday, but entry can be purchased at the door for $10 each. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., 5155 Greenbrier Ave., San Diego, CA 92120
June 22
No More Markets: No More Markets is hosting a free swap where attendees can bring clothing and items to swap or give away. The event is taking donations for Uptown Community Service Center, which needs toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, new underwear, socks, deodorant and durable plastic bags. 12-5 p.m., Jacaranda Place and Arnold Ave., San Diego, CA, 92104
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