MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – On Sunday, performers and distributors flocked to George Floyd Sq. to have fun the federal vacation generally known as Juneteenth.

Juneteenth, which falls on June 19, marks the emancipation of the final Africans who had been enslaved in the USA. It has lengthy been related to celebrations within the Black group.

“That is what it is all about: freedom,” mentioned Tiffany Stevens, proprietor of Tmarie-Maker of Fairly Issues.

Not even the warmth may hold individuals away from East thirty eighth and Chicago Avenue on Sunday. Within the sq., a spot without end memorializing a bit of Minneapolis historical past, group members held a block get together to commemorate the vacation.

“With the ability to stroll up and down the road, and see all of the indicators and the writings, and all the things that is on the bottom could be very particular. And it is a fixed reminder that we nonetheless must struggle,” mentioned Spencer Franklin, a member of Future Fighters.

Many members of the Black group really feel at the present time is about unity.

“Loads of occasions us as African-People might be very individualized, and at present was all about us as a individuals,” mentioned Tanesha Johnsaon, the chief director of Okay Goodz Jewelz.

However Juneteenth additionally serves as a reminder that there is nonetheless work to be finished.

“Immediately is essential to me, and it is essential to all of us, I believe as a result of it is one thing that truly represents one thing that we’re all attempting to do. We’re attempting to struggle an oppressor who actually does not care. Juneteenth was when slave house owners knew that slavery was abolished, however they simply did not care,” Franklin mentioned.

Neighborhood members constructed one another up with meals, dwell music, and a pop-up store at George Floyd Sq..

“Who would have thought we might be capable to come again right here after what we noticed–and have fun?” Stevens mentioned.

“It is a option to honor people who have fallen earlier than us (and) sadly, these that can fall,” Johnsaon mentioned.

The block get together even served as a spot the place Johnsaon and Stevens met and will collaborate for the primary time.

“We’re working as a group. So group, household, help, love,” Stevens mentioned.

They’re asking those that didn’t attend the celebration to proceed the struggle with them.

“It is unlucky that what occurred, but it surely’s additionally particular that we will come collectively and nonetheless have fun,” Franklin mentioned. 

Franklin additionally mentioned a part of preventing the struggle is bringing financial growth to the north and south sides, significantly bringing in companies that symbolize all of the totally different teams of people that dwell in these communities.