People wanting to rally for Juneteenth at Congo Square in New Orleans’ Armstrong Park were shut out of the park.
On Friday, several Juneteeth events and protests were planned in Congo Square through social media.
But when the people marched through the city to Congo Square they found the city had closed the park.
As WWL-TV reports, when asked why the park was closed, the city responded by saying, “We recognize the significance of Congo Square for Juneteenth celebrations, and regret that the space is not available today. Ahead of today’s events, multiple organizers ---- several without permits or coordination with the City --- were promoting gatherings expected to draw large crowds well in excess of the 100-person limit established under the Phase Two guidelines. In consultation with the NOPD, Parks and Parkways made the decision against opening Armstrong Park today in the interest of public health and public safety.”
Still, hundreds of protesters gathered on North Rampart, outside the chained and locked gates of Armstrong Park.