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City leaders, local organizations hold annual Jacksonville Emancipation Celebration

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – City leaders and different organizations are held a celebration for the annual Jacksonville Emancipation Celebration at James Weldon Johnson Park.

People danced, shopped, ate and learned about the importance of May 20, 1865, when slavery was officially ended in Florida.

City leaders and organizers put on the 4th annual Emancipation Celebration at James Weldon Johnson Park. (Copyright 2024 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved.)

It was the fourth year of the event but organizers said they hope to make it bigger next year.

“I came out here today because I wanted to learn more about the emancipation proclamation. I just wanted to get more information. I saw there was food and a bunch of people so I really wanted to see what was going on over here today,” Alexis McKinnon, an attendee of the event said.

City leaders and organizers put on the 4th annual Emancipation Celebration at James Weldon Johnson Park. (Copyright 2024 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved.)

Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman said it’s important to keep the event going yearly.

“This is a festival to help our community understand to bring in unity to understand how important this is and why we celebrate,” Pittman said.

Organizers said for next year, they hope to include the schools in the celebration by going to them and talking about the Emancipation Celebration, and making it more than a one day celebration.


About the Author
Khalil Maycock headshot

Khalil Maycock joined the News4JAX team in November 2022 after reporting in Des Moines, IA.

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