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Photos: On Juneteenth, Overland Park community holds advocacy + awareness peace rally

The Kansas City Star

The second annual Advocacy and Awareness Peace March and Rally on Juneteenth took place in Overland Park this weekend. Members of the community gathered to hear speakers and watch performers at the rally on Saturday.

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, is the oldest national celebration of the emancipation of slaves in the United States. President Joe Biden signed a bill on Thursday establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday.

Saturday’s event was organized by the Advocacy and Awareness Group of Johnson County, Women of Purpose and other community partners.

In the invitation for the event listed on the advocacy group’s website, it said the rally was meant “to amplify the importance of acknowledging the past, addressing the issues of our present, and inspiring for the future.”

Check out photos from our Kansas City Star photographer:

Members of the KCK All Star Band perform at the second annual Advocacy and Awareness Peace March and Rally on Juneteenth, Saturday, June 19, 2021, at Thompson Park in Overland Park, Kansas. Community members clapped and danced as the band performed.
Members of the KCK All Star Band perform at the second annual Advocacy and Awareness Peace March and Rally on Juneteenth, Saturday, June 19, 2021, at Thompson Park in Overland Park, Kansas. Community members clapped and danced as the band performed. Rebecca Slezak rslezak@kcstar.com
Darrien Case performs poetry at the second annual Advocacy and Awareness Peace March and Rally on Juneteenth, Saturday, June 19, 2021, at Thompson Park in Overland Park, Kansas. Members of the community gathered to hear speakers and watch performers at the rally.
Darrien Case performs poetry at the second annual Advocacy and Awareness Peace March and Rally on Juneteenth, Saturday, June 19, 2021, at Thompson Park in Overland Park, Kansas. Members of the community gathered to hear speakers and watch performers at the rally. Rebecca Slezak rslezak@kcstar.com
Community members gather at Thompson Park for the second annual Advocacy and Awareness Peace March and Rally on Juneteenth, Saturday, June 19, 2021, in Overland Park, Kansas. Members of the community gathered to hear speakers and watch performers at the rally.
Community members gather at Thompson Park for the second annual Advocacy and Awareness Peace March and Rally on Juneteenth, Saturday, June 19, 2021, in Overland Park, Kansas. Members of the community gathered to hear speakers and watch performers at the rally. Rebecca Slezak rslezak@kcstar.com
Members of the KCK All Star Band perform at the second annual Advocacy and Awareness Peace March and Rally on Juneteenth, Saturday, June 19, 2021, at Thompson Park in Overland Park, Kansas. Community members clapped and danced as the band performed.
Members of the KCK All Star Band perform at the second annual Advocacy and Awareness Peace March and Rally on Juneteenth, Saturday, June 19, 2021, at Thompson Park in Overland Park, Kansas. Community members clapped and danced as the band performed. Rebecca Slezak rslezak@kcstar.com
Overland Park council member Paul Lyons speaks at the second annual Advocacy and Awareness Peace March and Rally on Juneteenth, Saturday, June 19, 2021, at Thompson Park in Overland Park, Kansas. Members of the community gathered to hear speakers and watch performers at the rally.
Overland Park council member Paul Lyons speaks at the second annual Advocacy and Awareness Peace March and Rally on Juneteenth, Saturday, June 19, 2021, at Thompson Park in Overland Park, Kansas. Members of the community gathered to hear speakers and watch performers at the rally. Rebecca Slezak rslezak@kcstar.com
Karen Armstead performs a dance during the second annual Advocacy and Awareness Peace March and Rally on Juneteenth, Saturday, June 19, 2021, at Thompson Park in Overland Park, Kansas. Members of the community gathered to hear speakers and watch performers at the rally.
Karen Armstead performs a dance during the second annual Advocacy and Awareness Peace March and Rally on Juneteenth, Saturday, June 19, 2021, at Thompson Park in Overland Park, Kansas. Members of the community gathered to hear speakers and watch performers at the rally. Rebecca Slezak rslezak@kcstar.com
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The Kansas City Star
Visuals Editor Chris Ochsner leads The Star’s talented staff of photojournalists and video producers. He’s had his hand in directing visuals coverage since 2002. Ochsner led the visuals team in its coverage of four Super Bowls and two World Series.
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