Marchers en route to the Roots 101 African American Museum carried a casket with the
names of the victims of police brutality. KATHRYN HARRINGTON
Juneteenth typically celebrates the emancipation of the last remaining African slaves in the United States, but this years was marked in Louisville by the killings of Breonna Taylor, David McAtee and George Floyd by law enforcement.
About 200 people gathered June 19 in Jefferson Square Park for Juneteenth during an event hosted by the Roots101 African American Museum, Kentucky Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression and Prolific Services LLC. People were encouraged to wear their African print apparel as well as their Black Pride or Juneteenth T-shirts, and vendors were encouraged to adorn their booths with African symbols of love, strength and peace. The celebration included traditional African music and dance as well as skits.
A procession of about 100 people left Jefferson Square Park and marched to Roots101 on Main Street near Eighth Street with several carrying a black casket bearing the names of victims of police brutality. The casket will become a part of an exhibit in the Roots 101 African American Museum.
By having our Black men carry it, its like were carrying the burden of all the victims that have been killed by police brutality, Fateemah Muhammad with Roots101 said. It could have been one of those men. Once back in Jefferson Square Park, people were offered the chance to write their thoughts, ideas for change and notes to the victims families. Said Muhammad: We just want people to be aware that it could happen to anyone. People dont know, and we just want to educate people that this is happening, and its real.
Check out these photos from the day.
A participant in the march to Roots 101 African American Museum held slave chains that were brought out of the museum
for people to hold. | Photos by Kathrnyn Harrington. KATHRYN HARRINGTONDuring the march back to Jefferson Square Park from Roots 101,
police were present and eventually left without incident. KATHRYN HARRINGTONRoots 101 founder Lamont Collins and founder of
The Healthy Village Learning Institute Keith Murphy. KATHRYN HARRINGTON
The Kuvebo! drum ensemble performed at the Juneteenth celebration. KATHRYN HARRINGTON
Marchers en route to the Roots 101 African American Museum carried a casket with the
names of the victims of police brutality. KATHRYN HARRINGTON
The casket bearing the names of victims of police violence was placed outside the Roots 101 African American Museum after it was carried from the Juneteenth celebration in Jefferson Square Park. The casket will become a part of an exhibit at the museum. KATHRYN HARRINGTON
Slave chains from Roots 101 African American Museum were passed around for the crowd. KATHRYN HARRINGTON
Marchers picked up the casket to take back to the Juneteenth celebration in Jefferson Square Park. KATHRYN HARRINGTON
The crowd walked back to Jefferson Square Park from Roots 101 African American Museum. KATHRYN HARRINGTON
Flowers, posters and other mementos have been placed in Jefferson Square Park to
honor Black lives lost to police brutality. KATHRYN HARRINGTON
D.E.S.T.I.N.E.D. performed at the Juneteenth celebration. KATHRYN HARRINGTON
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