People take part in a rally at Daley Plaza in Chicago, the United States, on June 19, 2020. Thousands gathered in downtown Chicago and at several other events throughout Chicago on Friday to mark Juneteenth, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. (Photo by Chris Dilts/Xinhua)
CHICAGO, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Thousands gathered in downtown Chicago and at several other events throughout Chicago on Friday to mark Juneteenth, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.
At Grant Park in downtown Chicago, a number of government officials, including Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, led a march through the park in honor of Juneteenth.
The marchers chanted the names of black men and women killed by police officers across the United States, and said "too many."
In Daley Plaza, thousands of people chorused in chants and songs.
On June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas, Major General Gordon Granger issued General Order No. 3, which announced that, in accordance with the Emancipation Proclamation, "all slaves are free."
Currently, Juneteenth is recognized by 46 states and Washington, D.C. as an official state holiday or observance.
The focus of the events across Chicago varied from police reform, equity in black communities, celebration of independence to remembering George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck on May 25. Enditem
