Emancipation Day Coalition Hosts Annual Cultural Unity Event St. Thomas

As the United States celebrated Independence Day in 2025, various communities reflected on the ongoing journey toward liberty, equality, and unity. Progressive groups emphasized the need to confront historical injustices such as slavery and exclusion to deepen patriotism and build a more inclusive future. The Black community highlighted culturally significant ways to celebrate, including supporting Black-owned businesses, enjoying traditional cookouts, and engaging with Black history through museums and literature. In the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Emancipation Day Coalition held events focusing on cultural unity, self-determination, and mental emancipation, encouraging active community participation to honor the legacy of physical emancipation from slavery. Meanwhile, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints underscored the spiritual significance of Independence Day, affirming that America’s founding documents were divinely inspired and foundational to religious and civil freedoms. These diverse celebrations and reflections collectively underscore the nation's evolving understanding of freedom and the ongoing work toward equity and solidarity.