Thousands of people converged downtown in two separate celebrates of Juneteenth Friday, marching and dancing to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States.
The first march kicked off at 11 a.m. near the intersection of State Street and Balbo Drive before making its way to Daley Plaza.
Participants were seen having fun along the way, dancing music from a marching band that led the group. Many wore masks to protect themselves from the coronavirus.
At Daley Plaza, members of the crowd did the electric slide in front of the Picasso statue.
Haveing some fun at the March for Us 2020 Juneteenth celebration. pic.twitter.com/iwqrEFYQb0
— Manny Ramos (@_ManuelRamos_) June 19, 2020
Though the event was celebratory in nature, some participants said it was also about demanding justice for victims of police violence.
“The march was so fun, we all danced and celebrated our holiday that people often forget about,” said 24-year-old Denise Richards. “But we are also here to demand justice for our people who have been brutalized by police.”
The demands include declaring Juneteenth a city, state and federal holiday with paid time off — something that failed to pass the Chicago City Council this week.
Ashley Munson, an organizer for the march, said Black-owned businesses should receive a third of city contracts, which would mirror the percentage of Blacks among the city’s population.
“On Juneteenth 2020, today, we are saying enough is enough and demanding real policy change to the system in control,” said Munson. “We will not settle for symbolism.”
“We are also demanding increased accountability for police involved death and for individuals in police custody.” Munson said.
Munson also asked the city and state require police licensing and certification.
Grant Park march
A separate march organized by Pastor Chris Harris of Bright Star Church kicked off around noon at Roosevelt Road and Columbus Drive on its way to Grant Park. Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle, among other officials, took part.
Participants raised their fists in the air during the singing of “Lift Every Voice and Singing,” known as the Black National Anthem. There was a moment of silence for Laquan McDonald, who was killed in 2014 by Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke who was later convicted of his murder.
I’m estimating over 1000 people in this celebration. It’s a more somber that is organized with speaker caravans. pic.twitter.com/VGRIFfRb73
— Manny Ramos (@_ManuelRamos_) June 19, 2020
A portmanteau of June and 19, the holiday celebrates the day when the last enslaved African Americans learned they were free 155 years ago.
While the Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves in the South in 1863, it wasn’t enforced in many places until after the end of the Civil War two years later. Confederate soldiers surrendered in April 1865, but word didn’t reach the last enslaved Black people until June 19, when Union soldiers brought the news of freedom to Galveston, Texas.
I’m estimating over 1000 people in this celebration. It’s a more somber that is organized with speaker caravans. pic.twitter.com/VGRIFfRb73
— Manny Ramos (@_ManuelRamos_) June 19, 2020
