St. Pete Juneteenth Celebration Includes Black Lives Matter Mural

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. It is celebrated annually in St. Petersburg, however with health concerns because of the rising cases of the coronavirus, the city has switched the in-person event at the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum to a virtual live-stream celebration on Friday, June 19.

"Clearly, we understand the significance of Juneteenth, and this year’s celebration has shaped up to be an event to be remembered," the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum posted on its Facebook page. "The museum, in partnership with the city, Deuces Live and The Well have decided to forego their planned activities, however, acknowledge the significance of this momentous occasion through a press conference."

The virtual celebration will have speakers that include Mayor Rick Kriseman, Congressman Charllie Crist, State Sen. Darry Rouson, Pinellas County Commissioner Ken Welch and others, the city said in a news release.

The Negro National Anthem will be sung by Deneen Wyman. As part of the program, the museum will unveil a street mural declaring Black Lives Matter.

The event will be streamed live on the city of St. Petersburg Facebook page starting at 9:30 a.m. on Friday.

The holiday was first celebrated in Texas, where on that date in 1865, in the aftermath of the Civil War, slaves were declared free under the terms of the 1862 Emancipation Proclamation.