SPOKANE, Wash. – Dozens of people gathered at Grant Park on Thursday to celebrate Juneteenth, which commemorates the ending of slavery in the United States.
The afternoon event brought the community together with music, food, and activities.
“Juneteenth means celebration of family and freedom,” said Edward Eberhardt. “The way the environment is right now, community is important. We all need to come together and understand what each other is going through.”
The park had booths from local NAACP leaders, legal resources, and organizations promoting diversity and inclusion, including the Carl Maxey Center. There was live music, food, and bounce house for kids.
Many families used the event to teach their children about history.
“It’s the day that we can celebrate and recognize that. No more bondage, no more slave, no more chains,” said Lakeisha Davis. “For me and my family, it’s just important that I keep that heritage going and keep that knowledge embedded into their lives.”
Her daughter, Evelyn’Rose Davis, explained what Juneteenth meant to her: “The history of black people and how they overcame slavery and got their freedom. And like, we’re free and got their rights.”
Amos Atkinson Jr with the Carl Maxey Center said the day was “a time for us to come together and reminisce about what our ancestors had to endure. To me, this is my 4th of July.”
The Spokane NAACP will continue the Juneteenth observance tonight at 6 p.m. with a fireside chat event at Gonzaga University. For more information on Juneteenth events happening through the end of the weekend, click here.
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