BUFFALO (WBEN) - On Monday afternoon, Mayor Byron Brown and Councilman Ulysees Wingo hosted a Juneteenth flag raising ceremony in Niagara Square.
Right now: @MayorByronBrown hosting a Juneteenth flag raising ceremony in Niagara Square. 2020 marks the 45th consecutive festival in the city, as this year’s virtual festival will occur through social media on June 13 & 14. @NewsRadio930 pic.twitter.com/yXsI30MRG9
— Brendan Keany (@BrendanKeany)
June 1, 2020 The festival is a commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States, 2020 marks the 45th consecutive year of the festival in Buffalo. However, this year's celebration will look a lot different, as it will be a virtual festival through social media due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
"This is especially on time because even in the midst of this pandemic, we still have racial injustices that are occurring all across the country that we absolutely have to address," said Wingo. "Juneteenth is a symbol of unity and solidarity amongst the African diaspora in the United States of America to celebrate the fact that we are all unified, and when you see things like this, where the community comes together to pray or the community comes together to represent our pride in our community...this is what we need everyone to see and hear."
