New York City Observes Juneteenth With Protests and Celebration

Brooklyn, NYC- Jun 19, 2020

Thousands of people took to the streets throughout New York City’s five boroughs on Friday to mark the Juneteenth holiday commemorating the abolishment of slavery against the backdrop of the nationwide protests sparked by the death of George Floyd under the knee of a white Minneapolis police officer.
The gatherings come days after New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that Juneteenth as an official holiday and the same day New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio declared the city will officially observe Juneteenth as a city and school holiday starting next year.
"Every city worker, every student, will have an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of our history and the truth, and to think about the work that we have to do ahead," de Blasio said Friday.
Juneteenth is not a federal holiday, even though 47 states and the District of Columbia do mark the holiday. The day throughout New York City was marked with peaceful protests against systemic racism in the United States, it was sad and joyful at the same time.
Many of the gatherings continued without incident late into the evening.

Juneteenth is a holiday celebrating the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the United States. Originating in Texas, it is now celebrated annually on the 19th of June throughout the United States, with varying official recognition. As Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Liberation Day, and Emancipation Day it is now celebrated annually on the 19th of June throughout the United States.

Photos and article by Nadezda Tavodova Tezgor