PHOTOS: Juneteenth events around metro Atlanta

Political Insider

Roughly 500 people gathered inside Centennial Olympic Park for a daylong worship event and march amid Black Lives Matter protests calling for police reform and a measured end to police brutality against black people. The event, March on Atlanta, coincided with Juneteenth, a holiday garnering wider national attention and a day marking the last slaves in Texas were freed. But for many attendees, the holiday also represents a day of protest.

A large crowd gathers at the Centennial Olympic Park stage for an OneRace prayer and worship before marching to the State capital Friday, June 19, 2020. STEVE SCHAEFER FOR THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION

A large crowd fills Marietta St on there way to the State Capital from Centennial Olympic Park Friday, June 19, 2020. STEVE SCHAEFER FOR THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION

Erika Salenna, 21, participates in an OneRace prayer and worship at Centennial Olympic Park before marching to the State capital Friday, June 19, 2020. STEVE SCHAEFER FOR THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION

ADDS DESCRIPTION OF ONERACE MOVEMENT - A woman prays during an event hosted by OneRace Movement at AtlantaÃs Centennial Olympic Park to commemorate Juneteenth, the date of the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the U.S., on Friday, June 19, 2020. OneRace Movement, a religious organization, hosted the event in an effort to call for change and unify across races, classes, denominations and culture. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Roughly 500 people gathered inside Centennial Olympic Park for a daylong worship event and march amid Black Lives Matter protests calling for police reform and a measured end to police brutality against black people.
The event, March on Atlanta, coincided with Juneteenth, a holiday garnering wider national attention and a day marking the last slaves in Texas were freed. But for many attendees, the holiday also represents a day of protest.

The Juneteenth "March for US" gathers around the Capitol for a rally. A number of observances are planned for the metro area, to mark the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth, commemorating the date in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned that they were free. (Steve Schaefer for the Atlanta Journal Constitution)

Marchers arrive at the Capitol from the Morehouse School of Medicine to mark Juneteenth on Friday, June 19, 2020. (Ben Gray for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

June 19, 2020 - Atlanta - Aidan Wright, 8, participates in a Juneteenth Car Caravan at Wendy's. Prominent Pastors, Political Leaders, Entertainers, and Activists Gathered on to launch their "Save Our City" Initiative. A number of observances are planned for the metro area, to mark the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth, commemorating the date in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned that they were free. Ben Gray for the Atlanta Journal Constitution

Outside Wendy’s on Friday morning, several people approached the restaurant to pay their respects to Rayshard Brooks. One woman carried a bouquet of flowers. A group that set up a tent outside said they’ve remained through the day and night at the site to watch over it. One person called it “ground zero.” There were no obvious signs of Juneteenth.

Outside Atlanta City Hall, a group of more than 50 protesters chanted “care not cages” and “Black lives matter.” Protesters held signs that read “defund APD.” Protest doesn’t appear to have a specific focus on Juneteenth.

For Woodward Academy North teacher Alison Jones, the event was about being a voice and showing solidarity for her black students. “I have no right not to say anything. I came today because I want my students to know I have skin in the game for them.”
As a sixth grade English and reading teacher, Jones said she’s going incorporate attorney and author Bryan Stevenson’s book “Just Mercy” into her classroom and incorporate it in an opinion writing unit on race relations. She also plans to go through her classroom library and make sure authors of color are represented equality.
“I want them to see images, especially my black students, of scientists and mentors, people who’ve been extremely successful in their career and see themselves in that,” she said.

Marchers make their way past the National Park Services civil war cemetery from the Cobb NAACP offices to Marietta Square during a demonstration to commemorate Juneteenth on Friday June 19, 2020, in Marietta. JOHN AMIS FOR THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION

Protesters demonstrate in the square after making their way from the Cobb NAACP offices to Marietta Square during a demonstration to commemorate Juneteenth on Friday June 19, 2020, in Marietta. JOHN AMIS FOR THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION

Protesters demonstrate on the square after making their way from the Cobb NAACP offices to Marietta Square during a demonstration to commemorate Juneteenth on Friday June 19, 2020, in Marietta. JOHN AMIS FOR THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION

Protesters at Marietta Square hold candles and a moment of silence to honor enslaved ancestors and others who have unjustly lost their lives in recent times. (Kristal Dixon / kristal.dixon@ajc.com)

Several dozen people are already at Marietta Square for the Cobb NAACP Juneteenth march and rally. (Kristal Dixon / kristal.dixon@ajc.com)

Chrissy McGuire of Marietta learned about Friday's Juneteenth rally at Marietta Square from a friend through Facebook. She said she felt it was important to come out and support efforts to address racism. "It's important for people to see us coming together in a civil and orderly way," she added. (Kristal Dixon / kristal.dixon@ajc.com)

James Ford of Acworth, a member of Zion Baptist Church in Marietta, said these last three weeks have been a "trying time," but couldnt pass up coming to Marietta Square with his friend Willie Robinson for a "good unifying event." Ford said it's been difficult to explain how he has been feeling about the events of the last few weeks to his co-workers, but he makes sure he regularly checks on his friends. "We are black men, and we are taking the time to check on the young black men around us," he said. (Kristal Dixon / kristal.dixon@ajc.com)

June 19, 2020 - Atlanta - The "March on Atlanta", which kicked off at Centennial Olympic Park at 9 a.m.. begins it's march to the Capitol. A number of observances are planned for the metro area, to mark the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth, commemorating the date in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned that they were free. Steve Schaefer for the Atlanta Journal Constitution

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A large crowd gathers at the Centennial Olympic Park stage for an OneRace prayer and worship before marching to the State capital Friday, June 19, 2020. STEVE SCHAEFER FOR THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION

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