Speculation is growing that President Joe Biden may visit Galveston for Juneteenth festivities at Reedy Chapel, a key historic site in the origin of the holiday. While no official confirmation has been made, extensive security preparations suggest a high-profile guest is expected.
Galveston is preparing for Juneteenth celebrations and possibly a surprise visit from Vice President Joe Biden. Numerous rumors are circulating.
A story in The Galveston County Daily News on Monday reported that local police have increased security for a "special guest" who will be attending the events on Thursday. Even though city officials have not confirmed who the visitor is, Biden is thought to be it, especially since streets are going to be closed off. There will be increased police presence near Reedy Chapel, a historic site associated with the beginning of Juneteenth.
The City of Galveston would not confirm whether the rumor was true or false, and the president's office has not responded to any questions. Still, the timing and location of the security drills have led to more questions. Broadway is one of Galveston's main streets, and from 3 to 10 p.m., several blocks along it will be closed. This includes cross streets from 20th to 23rd.
The Reedy Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, located at 2013 Broadway, holds significant historical importance. People who were slaves began gathering together to pray on the land where the church now stands (1863). General Gordon Granger led Union troops that arrived in Galveston on June 19, 1865. He then issued General Order No. 3, which freed all slaves in Texas. The first public readings of the message took place in Reedy Chapel.
In honor of that event, Reedy Chapel holds a family-friendly Juneteenth festival every year. There will be a reenactment of the famous march from Granger's headquarters on the Strand to the chapel, and there will be a prayer service in the evening. The party this year was already significant for its meaning, but the rumor that a current or past president would be in attendance has drawn more attention to the island city.
The exact nature of the "special guest" has not been revealed, but the fact that streets have been closed and the site itself is important makes it seem like something big is planned. People from Galveston, where Juneteenth originated, and from other states are planning to attend in large numbers, hoping that the city will once again be in the national spotlight.
