State College NAACP hosts area’s first-ever Juneteenth celebration
By Abby Drey
The State College area officially celebrated Juneteenth for the first time Friday, with virtual and in-person events downtown at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza.
The events were organized by the State College NAACP, which was established in January.
Juneteenth, a commemorations of the day in 1865 that enslaved Black people learned they had been freed, has taken on a new meaning this year amid the nationwide push for racial justice.
Here are a few scenes from State College’s celebration:
Wearing a face mask reading “Black Lives Matter,” Charles Dumas watches Eric Ian Farmer perform during the inaugural Juneteenth celebration hosted by the State College NAACP at MLK Plaza in State College on Friday, June 19, 2020. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Joy Roberston dances as members of Roots of Life play during the inaugural Juneteenth celebration hosted by the State College NAACP at MLK Plaza in State College on Friday, June 19, 2020. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
A large crowd listens, while socially distanced, to Eric Ian Farmer perform during the inaugural Juneteenth celebration hosted by the State College NAACP at MLK Plaza in State College on Friday, June 19, 2020. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
State College Mayor Ron Filippelli speaks during the inaugural Juneteenth celebration hosted by the State College NAACP at MLK Plaza in State College on Friday, June 19, 2020. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Joy Roberston dances as members of Roots of Life play during the inaugural Juneteenth celebration hosted by the State College NAACP at MLK Plaza in State College on Friday, June 19, 2020. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
State College Area school district students speak during the inaugural Juneteenth celebration hosted by the State College NAACP at MLK Plaza in State College on Friday, June 19, 2020. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Charles Dumas speaks during the inaugural Juneteenth celebration hosted by the State College NAACP at MLK Plaza in State College on Friday, June 19, 2020. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
This story was originally published June 20, 2020 at 3:22 AM.
