The third annual San Francisco Juneteenth Parade enlivened Market Street with an array of floats and performers Sunday, united by the theme of Black pride.
A dozen block parties were in full swing through the duration of the parade, from the Embarcadero to Civic Center. The parties featured children’s activities, a car show, games, giveaways, line dancing, musical performances and dances.
San Francisco’s parade, three days after the holiday, was the culmination of several events
around the Bay Area this month
celebrating Juneteenth, the day in 1865 when slaves in Galveston, Texas, learned of their emancipation more than two years earlier.
President Joe Biden declared June 19 a federal holiday four years ago, though his successor, President Donald Trump, did not sign a proclamation celebrating Juneteenth this year. Trump, who has sought to end diversity, equity and inclusion policies nationwide, has said the U.S. has “too many non-working holidays” and that they harm the economy.
Regardless, the mood was celebratory and upbeat Thursday during the
Hella Juneteenth Festival
at the Oakland Museum of California, where hundreds of people enjoyed live music, food and drinks while acknowledging the added significance of the holiday this year under Trump.
Last weekend, San Francisco’s Fillmore neighborhood celebrated Juneteenth with a party spanning eight blocks featuring performers, vendors, games and a fashion show.
