PITTSBURGH — Parades and festivals are popping up all over Pittsburgh to begin celebrations for Juneteenth.
One of the events held in the city today was the “Juneteenth Voting Rights Parade” that happened downtown.
Organizers of the parade said that the parade was meant as a reenactment of the Jubilee of Freemen and women’s suffrage parades. Marchers began their journey at Freedom Corner and traveled to Point State Park.
At the end of the parade, participants had a voting rights forum. Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey spoke during the forum and was joined by the daughter of civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer.
R&B group Rose Royce provided music after the forum.
In a different area of town, people visited PNC Park for an art show.
The work displayed at the art show highlighted work done by Black artists from Pittsburgh and nearby areas - 24 different artists were represented during the event.
We will be covering more Juneteenth celebrations in our area. Be sure to check back in with WPXI for more updates.