People demonstrate in Chicago, Friday, June 19, 2020, to mark Juneteenth, the day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take control of the state and ensure all enslaved people be freed, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. n. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press
CHICAGO (AP) - Hundreds of people participated in upbeat and celebratory marches through downtown Chicago on Friday, part of events citywide to mark Juneteenth, which commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans.
People gathering before one morning march danced to music played by a small marching band before hundreds marched into the city's downtown Loop. Participants kept up the festive atmosphere, chanting and singing along the route that wrapped up near City Hall.
Juneteenth events across the U.S. this year are infused with activism, driven by nationwide protests demanding changes in policing following the deaths of Black men and women during encounters with law enforcement officers.
'œThe march was so fun. We all danced and celebrated our holiday that people often forget about,'ť 24-year-old Denise Richards told the Chicago Sun-Times. 'œBut we are also here to demand justice for our people who have been brutalized by police.'ť
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth were among the participants of another march, traveling alongside demonstrators carrying two large banners bearing George Floyd's name and photo as the group wound through Grant Park.
Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, died last month after a Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd's neck for almost eight minutes.
Ron Roby, who's Black, participated in the Grant Park event and said Juneteenth 'œrepresents freedom" and hope for him.
'œI'm extremely hopeful today because more people are aware, the light has been exposed to the problems that we have been facing as a people for decades upon decades upon decades," Roby said. "So I am hopeful that things are going to change this time.'ť
Chicagoans participated in other events throughout the day including organized 'œcrawls'ť to patronize Black-owned businesses, car caravans and celebrations with music, food and dancing.
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Associated Press video journalist Teresa Crawford contributed to this report.
A man holds a Pan-African flag during a demonstration in Chicago, Friday, June 19, 2020, to mark Juneteenth, the holiday celebrating the day in 1865 that enslaved black people in Galveston, Texas, learned they had been freed from bondage, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press
Tyler Clark paints during a demonstration in Chicago, Friday, June 19, 2020, to mark Juneteenth, the day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take control of the state and ensure all enslaved people be freed, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press
People demonstrate in Chicago, Friday, June 19, 2020, to mark Juneteenth, the holiday celebrating the day in 1865 that enslaved black people in Galveston, Texas, learned they had been freed from bondage, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press
A woman holds an umbrella as she demonstrates in Chicago, Friday, June 19, 2020, to mark Juneteenth, the holiday celebrating the day in 1865 that enslaved black people in Galveston, Texas, learned they had been freed from bondage, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press
A woman holds a Juneteenth flag as she demonstrates in Chicago, Friday, June 19, 2020, to mark Juneteenth, the holiday celebrating the day in 1865 that enslaved black people in Galveston, Texas, learned they had been freed from bondage, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press
People demonstrate in Chicago, Friday, June 19, 2020, to mark Juneteenth, the holiday celebrating the day in 1865 that enslaved black people in Galveston, Texas, learned they had been freed from bondage, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press
A woman holds a sign as she demonstrates in Chicago, Friday, June 19, 2020, to mark Juneteenth, the day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take control of the state and ensure all enslaved people be freed, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press
People demonstrate in Chicago, Friday, June 19, 2020, to mark Juneteenth, the day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take control of the state and ensure all enslaved people be freed, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press