Photo: Jay Willett/WBZ NewsRadio
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The City of Cambridge celebrated Juneteenth this year with their 4th annual parade and celebration.
Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Texas to free slaves following the Emancipation Proclamation. The holiday stands as a celebration of Black pride, and Cambridge honored that celebration with this annual event.
The parade began in Central Square, then traveled down Pleasant Street to Western Avenue to Blackstone Street to finally ending at Riverside Press Park, with a marching band taking up the end. Mayor of Cambridge Denise Simmons walked at the front of the parade with her granddaughter and talked about the importance of the holiday.
“We remember and observe Juneteenth as a reminder that we still have a way to go when it comes to equal rights and equal opportunities, particularly for African Americans,” Mayor Simmons said.
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She also talked about how important it was to continue to keep the message of the holiday in mind on all days, as to embrace diversity.
“Our city does to say, we don’t want to go back, so in not to go back, we have to remember so we can continue to go forward with peace, with integrity, and fairness to support the idea of diversity,” Mayor Denise said. “Diversity does not happen on its own.”
After the parade, the event continued at Riverside Press Park. Music-based acts such as dancers from Step Into Culture and The Steel Drum Orchestra performed, with food, games and other entertainment also present for an event full of activities.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Jay Willett (@JayWillettWBZ) reports.