Eugene hosts first Juneteenth celebration

Eugene hosts first Juneteenth celebration

Today marks the first day juneteenth will be celebrated as a state recognized holiday here in oregon -- in eugene a block party is currently underway at skinner butte park.

And that's where we find kezi 9 news reporter emma jerome with more about*what juneteenth is -- and what it means to those celebrating.

I've been hanging out here at th* annual juneteenth celebration hosted by black unity and here's what people are telling me about what this day means to them ... "can we get a black lives matter?

Black lives matter!

Can we get a black lives matter?

Black lives matter!

One more time!"

Cole knox, celebration attendee (:12-:16) "the black is beautiful you know?

We are celebrating black lives.

This holiday is very special for everyone in our community.

We are trying to spread the message and achieve that justice and equality that we've been searching for for over 400 years."

"we are in the midst of everything going on, juneteenth is just sort of black triumph over adversity and struggle and oppression.

And i just see it as a time for black people to get together and enjoy ourselves."

Sydney sampson, celebration attendee (: 52-:56) "it means it's a chance to celebrate everything that black people have went through and overcome.

It's a chance to bond with the community and it a chance to, especially with everything going on, it's a chance to get out and celebrate all the black culture."

Kate brown officially declared this day, june 19th, juneteenth... she also added that in the 2021 she will bring it up in the official session to make this day a statewide holiday ..

Reporting live in eugene emma jerome kezi 9