JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman, the Ritz Theater & Museum and the City of Jacksonville hosted the fifth annual Jacksonville Emancipation Celebration at Lift Ev’re Voice and Sing Park on Saturday.
Emancipation was proclaimed in Tallahassee on May 20, 1865, just 11 days after the end of the Civil War, and two years after the Proclamation was first issued by President Abraham Lincoln to free the slaves in Southern states.
On May 10, Union General Edward M. McCook arrived in Tallahassee to accept the surrender of Florida’s Confederate troops.
On May 20, McCook read Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation to end slavery in the state.
Pittman talked about the significance of the event.
“Emancipation was proclaimed in Florida on May 20, 1865, and the City of Jacksonville recognizes the significance that has made for our community,” said Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman. “We’re excited and humbled to celebrate this momentous day with a festival for the people and in such a sacred place as the Johnson Brothers’ birthplace.”
The Kats Downstairz headlined the many performers at the celebration. There were local African American food trucks, vendors, and fun activities for kids.
“This is not a party for a purpose, but it’s information for a purpose and I think over the years, a lot of the African-American community, especially the younger generation, they didn’t know anything about the emancipation, especially the slaves being free. So as we grow, we want to make sure that we educate about our African-American history, because if we don’t tell it, nobody else will,” Pittman said.
While many think of Juneteenth as Emancipation Day for Texas, Florida heard the proclamation first on May 20.
“May 20 is where Florida heard and June 19 is where Texas heard,” Carol J. Alexander, mistress of ceremony, said. “There are other states that heard in different times, but emancipation kind of encapsulates all of the freedom. In that year, the 13th Amendment wasn’t even ratified until the end of December, so I just want our public to know that one.”
There will be a special news conference on Tuesday, May 20 at 2 p.m. in City Hall to commemorate the 160th anniversary of this day.
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