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Ft. Worth activist Ms. Opal Lee began her walk to DC in effort to petition the observance of Juneteenth as a national holiday.

Juneteenth is considered the longest-running African American holiday. It marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed.

Ms. Opal Lee walked 2.5 miles Friday to symbolize troops arrival two and a half years later after signing of the emancipation proclamation.

More than 80 years ago, a life-changing event occurred for Lee. When she was 13 years old, she said, a white mob burned down her family’s home. Lee said that experience is what drove her to this day.

Opal’s Walk to DC began at 10:00am at the Ft. Worth Water Gardens. The Dallas Ft. Worth community spewed their love and support with 400+ cars behind her. Not only did she walk 2.5 miles non-stop, but championed her way through Texas heat with Ft. Worth Mayor, Betsy Price and other community leaders.

Courtesy of Artistic Visual Studios commentation by Radio Personality, Jazzi Black, and Brian Hesson.

As Black Lives Matter Protests continue across the country, many companies have decided to make Juneteenth a holiday, one of which being NIKE.

Ms. Lee requested Nike’s support and to her surprise received a package in the mail. Nike made the decision to sponsor her and her team with a full Nike wardrobe. See the sites of the Juneteenth celebration below!

Click Here To Sign The Petition

Nike Supports 93-Year-Old 1,300 Mile Walk To DC In Effort To Make Juneteenth A National Holiday  was originally published on thebeatdfw.com

1. Juneteenth 2020

Juneteenth 2020 Source:Reagan Elam-relam@radio-com

Opal Lee’s Walk to DC in Dallas, Tx. June 19, 2020 

2. Juneteenth 2020

Juneteenth 2020 Source:Reagan Elam-relam@radio-com

Opal Lee’s Walk to DC in Dallas, Tx. June 19, 2020 

3. Juneteenth 2020

Juneteenth 2020 Source:Reagan Elam-relam@radio-com

Opal Lee’s Walk to DC in Dallas, Tx. June 19, 2020 

4. Juneteenth 2020

Juneteenth 2020 Source:Reagan Elam-relam@radio-com

Opal Lee’s Walk to DC in Dallas, Tx. June 19, 2020

5. Juneteenth 2020

Juneteenth 2020 Source:Reagan Elam-relam@radio-com

Opal Lee’s Walk to DC in Dallas, Tx. June 19, 2020 

6. Juneteenth 2020

Juneteenth 2020 Source:Reagan Elam-relam@radio-com

Opal Lee’s Walk to DC in Dallas, Tx. June 19, 2020 

7. Juneteenth

Juneteenth Source:Reagan Elam-relam@radio-com

Opal Lee’s Walk to DC in Dallas, Tx. June 19, 2020

8. Juneteenth

Juneteenth Source:Reagan Elam-relam@radio-com

Opal Lee’s Walk to DC in Dallas, Tx. June 19, 2020 

9. Juneteenth 2020

Juneteenth 2020 Source:Reagan Elam-relam@radio-com

Opal Lee’s Walk to DC in Dallas, Tx. June 19, 2020 

10. Juneteenth Celebration

Juneteenth Celebration Source:Reagan Elam-relam@radio-one.com

Opal Lee’s Walk to DC in Dallas, Tx. June 19, 2020 

11. Juneteenth Celebration

Juneteenth Celebration Source:Reagan Elam-relam@radio-one.com

All Hero’s don’t wear capes. Opal Lee’s Walk to DC in Dallas, Tx. June 19, 2020

12. Junetenth

Junetenth Source:Reagan Elam-relam@radio-com

Opal Lee’s Walk to DC in Dallas, Tx. June 19, 2020 

13. Juneteenth 2020

Juneteenth 2020 Source:Reagan Elam-relam@radio-com

Opal Lee’s Walk to DC in Dallas, Tx. June 19, 2020 

14. Juneteenth 2020

Juneteenth 2020 Source:Reagan Elam-relam@radio-com

Opal Lee’s Walk to DC in Dallas, Tx. June 19, 2020 

15. Juneteenth 2020

Juneteenth 2020 Source:Reagan Elam-relam@radio-com

Opal Lee’s Walk to DC in Dallas, Tx. June 19, 2020 

16. Juneteenth 2020

Juneteenth 2020 Source:Reagan Elam-relam@radio-com

Opal Lee’s Walk to DC in Dallas, Tx. June 19, 2020 

17. Juneteenth 2020

Juneteenth 2020 Source:Reagan Elam-relam@radio-com

Opal Lee’s Walk to DC in Dallas, Tx. June 19, 2020 parade

18. Juneteenth 2020

Juneteenth 2020 Source:Reagan Elam-relam@radio-com

Opal Lee’s Walk to DC in Dallas, Tx. June 19, 2020 

19. Juneteenth 2020

Juneteenth 2020 Source:Reagan Elam-relam@radio-com

Opal Le”s Walk to DC in Dallas, Tx. June 19, 2020 

20. Juneteenth 2020

Juneteenth 2020 Source:Reagan Elam-relam@radio-com

Opal Lee’s Walk to DC in Dallas, Tx. June 19, 2020