STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Hundreds of people lined Bay Street and filled Tappen Park in Stapleton on Friday to celebrate Juneteenth, which commemorates the day in 1865 when the last enslaved African Americans in Texas were freed, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
“This living history parade pays homage to our ancestors who paved the way for our freedom and civil liberties,” said Dorcas Meyers, founder of Roc-A-Natural Cultural Foundation, who collaborated with Teresa Parnell and the Friends Who Think Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Organization to organize Staten Island’s annual Juneteenth Freedom Parade & Festival.
“Due to the rich cultures of New York City, particularly in Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Queens, which had already been celebrating Juneteenth, I wanted to develop a program that included an historical re-enactment featuring Staten Island residents,” Meyers continued. “My goal is to ‘edu-tain’ the diverse communities of Staten Island and connect them with our neighboring boroughs.”
Originating in Galveston, Texas, Juneteenth has been celebrated annually on June 19 by African Americans since the late 1800s. It was declared a federal holiday in 2021.
The full day of Staten Island events kicked off this year at noon with a “Living History” parade beginning just outside Von Briesen Park in Fort Wadsworth, marching along Bay Street to Tappen Park.
More than 100 community members participated in the parade, including: the Crazy Faith Riders of Kenilworth (Black Cowboys); Western Pulse Ensemble; Freedom Ballers; Susan Wagner High School Marching Band; New York Alliance Drumline; Crown Rhythm Steppers; African Community Alliance of Staten Island; and other community organizations.
The procession also included historical floats honoring Harriet Tubman, Madam C.J. Walker and Freedom Fighters for Civil Rights.
Following the parade, the afternoon was filled with activities at the park. Cultural presentations included a libation by Spiritchild, a community performance of “Lift Every Voice,” led by Professor Charles Thomas, and a flag-raising ceremony.
Live performances included music by the East Coast Inspirational Singers, Manners and Respect Band, and DJ Xcel.
A historic re-enactment of Juneteenth events was made up of a signature presentation by the Staten Island Juneteenth Freedom Players, featuring the reading of General Order No. 3 and the Emancipation Proclamation, along with a focus on the Reconstruction era, including the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments.
Other attractions included: The Freedom Health Pavilion, sponsored by Healthy Keepers; Chess and Chill with KillsBoro Chess Club; vendors; and an NYC Parks & Recreation Kids Zone.
The Freedom Parade & Festival, now in its fifth year, was hosted by the Roc-A-Natural Cultural Foundation, Healthy Keepers, and the Friends Who Think Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Organization. Sponsors included: the Citizens Committee for New York City; Staten Island PPS Social Care Network; The Lois & Richard Nicotra Foundation; Staten Island Chamber of Commerce; Richmond County District Attorney Michael E. McMahon; and Bari’s Pizza Pasta.