Juneteenth event celebrates the past with an eye on the future; ‘We have to keep our democracy strong and pass it down to the next generation’

From performers, to community officials, to “real guys grilling for charity,” to associates of the crowd, practically absolutely everyone at Waukegan’s Juneteenth Expo was there with a function.

“I’m listed here to rejoice our independence and our record,” explained Waukegan resident Marvin Burruss, wearing a T-shirt exhibiting his higher education fraternity — Omega Psi Phi. “Juneteenth celebrates the working day the slaves were being freed.”

Hundreds of folks participated in the expo Saturday in downtown Waukegan, which was component of Juneteenth Fee of Lake County’s a few-working day celebration of commemorating June 19, 1865, when the previous of the slaves in the United States uncovered they had been free of charge in Galveston, Texas.

In the course of the 6-hour function, there was continual leisure with 18 acts, booths the place companies and organizations were being equipped to show their messages or wares, and foods well prepared on many grills.

Condition Sen. Adriane Johnson, D-Buffalo Grove, mentioned alongside with the concept of liberty, attendance by young individuals — there were being quite a few there — is essential since they will be the messengers just one day.

“We have to retain our democracy robust and go it down to the upcoming era of leadership,” Johnson reported. “There are threats to some of the gains we have designed above the final 50 years. We have to move it down so they will however have freedom.”

Isaiah Ewing, the son of Waukegan Community Device College District 60 Board of Education President Brandon Ewing and a middle college scholar, was at the expo with his father. He was experiencing the festivities and understands the goal.

“Juneteenth is the celebration of liberty,” Isaiah Ewing mentioned. “It is critical that we celebrate and realize so we can entirely regard our liberty.”

Listening to the music was longtime District 60 board member Anita Hanna. She said the holiday getaway is crucial since folks ought to be knowledgeable of the record and fragility of independence.

“It’s critical for people today to know why we have this Juneteenth celebration,” Hanna mentioned. “It’s vital to have this day to commemorate the stop of slavery.”

As Burruss was listening to hip hop artist Aubdullah Shabazz include the crowd in the singer’s message of Black pride, he talked about the voting registration drive his fraternity was conducting in the spot.

“This is how we shield our democracy and our independence,” Burruss stated. “We have to sign-up to vote and vote. It is incredibly significant to sign up people today to vote.”

Shabazz explained after his general performance his goal was supposed to entail the group. When he asked the audience to raise their hand with a clenched fist, many did. Flexibility was aspect of his information as properly.

“We’re in this article to celebrate the trigger of independence,” Shabazz mentioned. “We want unity, harmony and solidarity for the Black individuals. When we get the people associated, it would make the tunes greater.”

Randy Smith, a Waukegan resident and a public servant by career, used his time at the rear of a grill cooking rooster and other food stuff for sale as a member of Serious Men Grill for Charity. He explained it was important not only to rejoice Juneteenth, but to do one thing for the local community.

“We’re below celebrating the result in of freedom,” Smith Claimed. “The Rev. Martin Luther King was a chief and we learned from his example. With out God none of this would be doable.”

When the freed slaves in Galveston uncovered of their flexibility from an American general 157 decades in the past, they noticed Black persons sporting the uniform of the Union army. Brandon Ewing stated he could picture their pride and inspiration.

While the United States Armed Forces had been segregated right up until 1948, Ewing claimed Black soldiers fought in every war given that the United States engaged in any battle. His grandfather entered a segregated army and was discharged from an built-in one particula
r.

“His subordinates experienced to figure out his remarkable rank,” Ewing stated.