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Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when slaves in Texas received the news they’d been freed.

NORFOLK, Va. — Juneteenth is coming up Wednesday, commemorating the day in 1865 when slaves in Texas received the news they’d been freed.

Celebrations of the federal holiday are happening across Hampton Roads this weekend, starting early Saturday morning with a parade in Norfolk hosted by the Stop the Violence Team.

RELATED: The story behind Juneteenth and how it became a federal holiday

Joseph Chase brought music and motorcycles to the Campostella community.

“Me and my friends like riding together, but we came out together to support the cause: to stop the violence,” he told 13News Now.

Though the neighborhood processional had all the sights and sounds of a celebration, Chase emphasized it’s also a chance to show unity against crime and violence, explaining, “The only way we’re going to save our community, to save our neighborhoods, to save our city, to save our state, to save our country, is to come together as one.”

It’s a message Stop the Violence Team organizer Bilal Muhammad spread Saturday as well.

“Juneteenth is about a change in the minds and the spirits of all human beings. Let us all come together and say, ‘Hey, the crime has to be reduced,’” he said.

Youth dance and cheer groups marched alongside law enforcement and community groups. Both Chase and Muhammad said they’re happy to see so much involvement in the holiday.

“It’s overwhelming to see so much support, and I pray that next year it just gets larger,” Chase said.

Muhammad added, “We want the little children to witness what’s taking place today because this is going to be an inspiration.”

This is the parade’s second year. It started on Vernon Drive and ended at the Richard A. Tucker Memorial Library.

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