Juneteenth Freedom Day: Tri-State Area Events Honoring Liberation Of Last Slaves In America
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Friday marks Juneteenth, the historic day when the last slaves were liberated in America.
President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation freeing slaves on Jan. 1, 1863. Slaves in Texas were the last to learn of their liberation, two and a half years later.
Over the past 150 years, Juneteenth has evolved into a unified celebration of black history and culture, a time to enlighten, listen and learn.
Now the day takes on added importance amid the protests over racism and police brutality.
List of local events commemorating the historic day:
10 a.m. Freedom Day Rally with Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams on steps of Brooklyn Public Library
11 a.m. "March to End the War on Children" led by youth activists from City Hall to Central Park
11 a.m. Juneteenth Discussion: Racial Justice & Prosecution by John Jay College
11 a.m. Virtual Juneteenth Storytime with Bweela Steptoe by Brooklyn Public Library
12 p.m. "Juneteenth Drive to Justice" motorcade with Public Advocate Jumaane Williams from Brooklyn Museum to City Hall and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building
12 p.m. "Juneteenth Drive to Justice" motorcade in Newark and several other cities
12 p.m. "Defund the Police" rally at Cadman Plaza
12 p.m. SummerStage Anywhere presents Digital Day of Dance
12 p.m. Paterson wreath-laying ceremony at Underground Railroad monument
1 p.m. #RouteWithAPurpose bike ride from Brooklyn Museum to Coney Island and Fort Greene Park
1 p.m. Poetry readings, portraits and sign-making at Brooklyn Museum Plaza
2 p.m. Unite NY 2020 rally at Cadman Plaza
2 p.m. Juneteenth: Creating Legacy in Contested Places by the Schomburg Center
2 p.m. Nurses and first responders take a knee at Lenox Hill Hospital
3 p.m. Break Bred presents Lifting Black Voices: A Virtual Juneteenth Celebration
4 p.m. 155th: A Juneteenth Celebration Through Poetry & Song by Brooklyn Public Library
4:30 p.m. Gov. Phil Murphy delivers remarks at Friendship Baptist Church in Trenton, N.J.
5 p.m. Next Step Forward Initiative's ReJuneteenth rally at New Rochelle's Lincoln Park
8 p.m. Sweet Honey In The Rock presents Juneteenth: A Day Of Remembrance
Click here to see more protests taking place throughout New York City.
