Utahns gather at Salt Lake City park for Juneteenth celebration - Salt Lake Tribune

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Utahns gathered Friday afternoon at Washington Square Park in Salt Lake City for a protest and block party as part of a series of Juneteenth celebrations going on throughout the day.

The June 19th holiday — contracted to “Juneteenth” — marks the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Union Gen. Gordon Granger and his troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to free the slaves there, the last in the nation. In 2016, the Utah Legislature declared the third Saturday in June as Juneteenth Freedom Day; it’s one of 47 states to make it an official observance.

The crowd cheered as speakers told them, “Happy Juneteenth!” Today, “we’re going to be demanding change starting right here in Salt Lake City, right here in our capitol,” said speaker Trey Barnes.

If you want lasting change, you have to take action, added James Evans, former Republican Party chairman.

“Politicians listen to one thing. ...They listen to the ballot box,” he said. Juneteenth is an important day not just for him as a Black man, but for all Americans, Evans said. ”You must continue to be involved beyond this.”

Organizers reminded the crowd to wear masks, use hand sanitizer and be safe, also announcing they had water to keep people hydrated. Marchers then left the square, going along 500 South to walk up State Street, then turned back east toward the Salt Lake City police headquarters, chanting, “Black lives matter” and “no justice, no peace.”

Salt Lake City police sent an alert on Twitter to motorists, saying, “Due to a large gathering and march in downtown, please expect rolling road closures from South Temple to 500 S. and State St. to 500 E. This area may change, be prepared for road closures and avoid downtown if possible.”

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Other celebrations held Friday in the Beehive State include a flag-raising ceremony and virtual discussions, and a car caravan is planned Saturday in Ogden.

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Utahns gather at Salt Lake City park for Juneteenth celebration - Salt Lake Tribune
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