ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – Juneteenth is officially observed on June 19, but the Rochester Branch of the NAACP celebrated the holiday a few days early.
The organization held a celebration of the holiday at Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Park, with live music, food and other activities. The event also featured calls to action, as well as speeches and poems from community members.
Although the day saw steady rain throughout, the celebration still draws in the crowds and Mitchell Stevenson, Rochester Branch of the NAACP vice president, said it was great to see support from the community.
”It’s especially on a day like today, a little overcast skies that the community of Rochester got together to celebrate this. It means a lot and it means even more because you know, we just had the incident of the word that was displayed here in Rochester,” Stevenson said. “So, for Rochester and the city to come together today to say we’re still with you, we support you, it means an awful lot.”
Walé Elegbede, president of the Rochester Branch of the NAACP, said events like Saturday’s are an opportunity for people to learn more about the importance of the holiday.
2024 marks the 19th year the organization has held this celebration of Juneteenth in Rochester
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