Juneteenth matters. 

That was part of the message delivered by Jeanette Laster to the Coeur d’Alene City Council on Tuesday about the federal holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in America. 

“The historical legacy of Juneteenth shows the value of never giving up hope in uncertain times,” said the executive director of the Human Rights Education Institute. 

The City Council presented a proclamation to Laster recognizing Juneteenth, which is June 19. It reads, in part, “promoting a more inclusive and equitable community and recommitting to the pursuit of freedom, equality and justice for all.” 

Laster outlined the history of Juneteenth and Black history in Idaho. 

She said Jennie Eva Hughes was the first Black graduate from the University of Idaho in 1899. Dr. Thomas “Les” Purce was the first Black man to serve in public office in Idaho when he was elected to Pocatello’s City Council in 1973. He became the city's first Black mayor in 1976. 

In her presentation, Laster noted past racial incidents in Coeur d’Alene. 

In July 2020, the concert of Nu Jack City, a rhythm and blues band, was canceled due to racist threats. In March 2024, a women’s basketball team “experienced racial harassment” in the downtown area. 

She said despite the city’s commitment to being an “inclusive community,” the Idaho State Police reported 54 hate crime incidents in 2023. Of those, 18 were specifically against Black people, Laster said. 

She said that in 2022, according to the Department of Justice, 70% of hate crimes in Idaho were against a person’s race, ethnicity or ancestry. 

But the city of Coeur d’Alene has taken steps against such actions. 

Last year, the City Council approved a law to combat racially motivated hate crimes.

It said a hate crime was “the commission of certain, already established crimes, but motivated by a person’s actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or national origin.”   

Laster thanked the City Council “for swiftly approving a new hate crimes ordinance in the effort to demonstrate its commitment to no tolerance to racism in our beautiful city.” 

HREI will host its annual Juneteenth leadership panel discussion at 11:30 a.m. Thursday. Kitara Johnson Jones, a motivational speaker and trainer, and Scott Finnie, director of Africana Education Program at Eastern Washington University, will be the presenters.  

Idaho For All, a North Idaho coalition of citizens advocating for “the freedom, safety, health, and dignity of all citizens,” will lead a “Freedom Walk” at 5 p.m. Thursday starting at Fifth and Wallace in downtown Coeur d’Alene and ending at Independence Point. 

Lauren McCroskey said the walk will spread “a message of inclusion” and celebrate diversity.

“Our purpose is to remember Juneteenth and also to honor all of our citizens and visitors who have been harmed by racism and bigotry,” McCroskey said.