Juneteenth celebrations are happening across the city to celebrate the day the last slaves found out they were free.
People were out celebrating at Brooklyn Public Library Friday with music and performances, as well local leaders calling on the community to continue their fight for racial equality and justice.
The “cel-liberation rally” started with a prayer, followed by speeches from community organizations and elected officials, performances by rapper Papoose, and even spoken word.
Local leaders say that they want people to use this day to reflect on the legacy left behind by all those who have been working to create change for African-Americans.
They also say that amid weeks of protests across the city in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, they’re hoping that people can leave today’s rally more inspired to continue pushing the movement forward.
People attending the rally tell News 12 that while progress has been made in the fight against injustice, they say there’s still so much more that needs to be done.