Juneteenth In Montclair: Students To Rally On Police Brutality

MONTCLAIR, NJ — A rally against police brutality is being planned for Montclair on Friday, June 19, the holiday known as “Juneteenth.”

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.

• See related article: What Is Juneteenth? (5 Things To Know About The Holiday)

NJ Student Blackout, a group of student leaders from Essex County, are planning to hold a rally against police brutality in Montclair on Friday. It begins at 1 p.m. at 6 Lloyd Road. (See details here)

Organizers wrote:

“NJ Student Blackout is a group of student leaders from Essex County in New Jersey. On Juneteenth of 2020, we will have an Essex-wide rally to stand in solidarity with those who have lost their lives to police brutality. Please share this with as many people as possible. Any and all support and guidance would be very helpful and much appreciated as we go about our planning process. Stay tuned for more information.”

"Juneteenth will be a two-part day," organizers say. "Starting at 1 p.m., we will have our rally and protest and when that is concluded (around 4 p.m.), we will have our Liberation Celebration at Rand Park. There will be performers and possibly an open mic, just time for us to enjoy each other’s talents and voices."

Montclair town officials also issued an advisory about the rally on Thursday afternoon:

“NJ Student Blackout, a group of Essex County student leaders, have organized a rally for Friday, June 19. Drivers should be aware of the procession that will begin at 1 p.m. at 6 Lloyd Road (Montclair Kimberly Academy) and will head to Rand Park where a Liberation Celebration will take place from 4 p.m. Please be prepared for intermittent road closures in the area and plan accordingly. To avoid traffic congestion, drivers should provide for extra travel time or avoid area roadways as best as possible.”

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Don’t forget to visit the Patch Montclair Facebook page. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Sign up for Patch email newsletters.