Juneteenth In Somerville: Protest, March Planned Friday

SOMERVILLE, NJ — A Juneteeth protest/march is being planned in Somerville on Friday in front of the Somerset County Courthouse.

Juneteenth, which is short for June 19th, is a 155-year-old commemoration that celebrates the emancipation of African Americans from slavery in the United States. Read More: What Is Juneteenth? (5 Things To Know About The Holiday)

Demonstrators will meet at the Somerset County Courthouse at 3 p.m. Half of the group will then walk up North Bridge Street towards Route 22 East and kneel on the highway for about 8 minutes and 46 seconds. Read More: Rt. 22 To Close As Protesters Kneel For Juneteenth In Bridgewater

The other half of the group is walking from the court house up South Bridge street to Route 206. At 206 this group will also kneel for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. Both groups are timing their efforts to be kneel simultaneously on both roads at the same time.

The kneeling symbolizes the killing of George Floyd, 46, after then Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes. Video, which captured Floyd saying "I can't breathe," went viral, and sparked the nationwide protests.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here. Don't miss local and statewide announcements. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.