Photos: Nationwide Juneteenth celebrations and protests

Haley Avery (left) hugs her cousin, Selah Moore as they pray together during a Juneteenth event Organized by the One Race Movement at Centennial Olympic Park on June 19, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when a Union general read orders in Galveston, Texas stating all enslaved people in Texas were free according to federal law. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
A woman prays during an event hosted by OneRace Movement at AtlantaÕs Centennial Olympic Park to commemorate Juneteenth, the date of the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the U.S., on Friday, June 19, 2020. OneRace Movement, a religious organization, hosted the event in an effort to call for change and unify across races, classes, denominations and culture. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
People dance to Go-go music near the Black Lives Matter Plaza to celebrate Juneteenth on June 19, 2020 in Washington, United States. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when a Union general read orders in Galveston, Texas stating all enslaved people in Texas were free according to federal law. (Photo by Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images)
Rodney Newton, his chest decorated with a tattoo reading "I Can't Breathe," observes a moment of silence at a Juneteenth protest outside the Statehouse, Friday, June 19, 2020, in Providence, R.I. "I've seen too many of my friends die so me getting this tattoo symbolizes those events and what's going on," said Newton of getting the tattoo last week. "It's a conversation starter and I'm trying to bring awareness to it." (AP Photo/David Goldman)
A man lays in the street with his hands behind his back while others demonstrate during a march in Salt Lake City Friday, June 19, 2020, in Salt Lake City, to mark Juneteenth, the holiday celebrating the day in 1865 that enslaved black people in Galveston, Texas, learned they had been freed from bondage, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
People pray together during a Juneteenth event Organized by the One Race Movement at Centennial Olympic Park on June 19, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when a Union general read orders in Galveston, Texas stating all enslaved people in Texas were free according to federal law. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Manuela Agudelo dances during a Juneteenth celebration on June 19, 2020 in New York, United States. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when a Union general read orders in Galveston, Texas stating all enslaved people in Texas were free according to federal law. (Photo by Michael Noble Jr./Getty Images)
Kim Gardner waves during a drive thru Juneteenth 2020 celebration in Dallas, Friday, June 19, 2020. Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to take control of the state and ensure all enslaved people be freed. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Independent dancer Manuela Sanchez of Brooklyn, N.Y., performs in front of hundreds of signs put up along the front of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce building on H Street and 16th Street Northwest renamed Black Lives Matter Plaza near the White House in Washington, Friday, June 19, 2020, to mark Juneteenth, the holiday celebrating the day in 1865 that enslaved black people in Galveston, Texas, learned they had been freed from bondage, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Protesters march in a Black Lives Matter demonstration organized by the Dallas Black Firefighters Association on Juneteenth 2020 in Dallas, Friday, June 19, 2020. Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to take control of the state and ensure all enslaved people be freed, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
People push an empty symbolic casket during a Juneteenth celebration in the Greenwood District of the city June 19, 2020 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, marks the official end of slavery in the states that were part of the Confederate States of America following the American Civil War.Ê(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Amid concerns of the spread of the novel coronavirus, Stern Ferguson wears a mask during a drive through Juneteenth 2020 celebration in Dallas, Friday, June 19, 2020. Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to take control of the state and ensure all enslaved people be freed. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
People taking part in a Juneteenth march fill 23rd Ave. in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2020. Thousands of people marched to honor the Juneteenth holiday and to protest against police violence and racism. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
A man wears a face mask that reads "Opportunities Matter" during a Juneteenth celebration in the Greenwood District of the city June 19, 2020 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, marks the official end of slavery in the states that were part of the Confederate States of America following the American Civil War. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
People march to theÊGeorgiaÊStateÊCapitol during aÊJuneteenth event Organized by the One Race Movement on June 19, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when a Union general read orders in Galveston, Texas stating all enslaved people in Texas were free according to federal law. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
TULSA, OKLAHOMA - JUNE 19: People attend a Juneteenth celebration in the Greenwood District of the city June 19, 2020 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, marks the official end of slavery in the states that were part of the Confederate States of America following the American Civil War. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
People march to theÊGeorgiaÊStateÊCapitol during aÊJuneteenth event Organized by the One Race Movement on June 19, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when a Union general read orders in Galveston, Texas stating all enslaved people in Texas were free according to federal law. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Jordanne Semper-Scott plays a hymn on her violin during a service outside St. John's Episcopal Church near the White House in Washington, Friday, June 19, 2020. In the background a sign hanging on the AFL-CIO building reads "BLACK LIVES MATTER" (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 19: People march to the Georgia State Capitol during a Juneteenth event Organized by the One Race Movement on June 19, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when a Union general read orders in Galveston, Texas stating all enslaved people in Texas were free according to federal law. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
A person taking part in a Juneteenth march in Seattle holds up a stencil of a fist, Friday, June 19, 2020. Thousands of people marched to honor the Juneteenth holiday and to protest against police violence and racism. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Artist Hubert Massey raises a fist after signing his "Power to the People" mural on Woodward Ave, Friday, June 19, 2020, in Detroit. The mural, funded by the Knight Foundation and Bedrock, spells out "Power to the People".(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 19: People pray together during a Juneteenth event Organized by the One Race Movement at Centennial Olympic Park on June 19, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when a Union general read orders in Galveston, Texas stating all enslaved people in Texas were free according to federal law. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Rick and Jayna Powell sit on a concrete barricade with signs the read "All Lives Matter Only When Black Lives Matter" and 'Silence is Death We Cannot be Silent Any Longer!" Friday, June 19, 2020, in Washington, as the White House is seen behind them. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
People pray together during a Juneteenth event Organized by the One Race Movement at Centennial Olympic Park on June 19, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when a Union general read orders in Galveston, Texas stating all enslaved people in Texas were free according to federal law. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Filomena Murphy, daughter of NFL football player Louis Murphy Jr., prepares to place a rose in a vase honoring black men killed by police officers, during a Juneteenth 2020 celebration outside the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum Friday, June 19, 2020, in St. Petersburg, Fla. Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to take control of the state and ensure all enslaved people be freed. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
People pray during an event hosted by OneRace Movement at AtlantaÕs Centennial Olympic Park to commemorate Juneteenth, the date of the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the U.S., on Friday, June 19, 2020. OneRace Movement, a religious organization, hosted the event in an effort to call for change and unify across races, classes, denominations and culture. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
A person taking part in a Juneteenth march in Seattle holds a sign that reads "This the new 4th of July," Friday, June 19, 2020. Thousands of people marched to honor the Juneteenth holiday and to protest against police violence and racism. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Annie Smith becomes emotional during a OneRace March on Atlanta prayer service and march in response to recent racially violence Friday, June 19, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
People dance to music during a Juneteenth celebration in Los Angeles, Friday, June 19, 2020. Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take control of the state and ensure all enslaved people be freed, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
A stylized American Black Lives Matter flag flies during a Juneteenth rally, Friday, June 19, 2020, in Boston. Juneteenth commemorates when the last enslaved African Americans learned in 1865 they were free, more than two years following the Emancipation Proclamation. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Helyce Roberts wears face mask with "I Can't Breathe" during a Juneteenth rally in Sacramento, Calif., Friday, June 19, 2020. Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take control of the state and ensure all enslaved people be freed, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
ADDS DESCRIPTION OF ONERACE MOVEMENT - A woman prays during an event hosted by OneRace Movement at Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park to commemorate Juneteenth, the date of the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the U.S., on Friday, June 19, 2020. OneRace Movement, a religious organization, hosted the event in an effort to call for change and unify across races, classes, denominations and culture. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Volunteers finish painting the Black Lives Matter mural around Court Square Fountain in downtown Montgomery, Ala., as a Juneteenth Art on the Square project on Friday June 19, 2020. Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to take control of the state and ensure all enslaved people be freed. (Mickey Welsh/The Montgomery Advertiser via AP)
People dance to live Go-go music at the intersection of H St NW and 16th Street NW near the White House, an area renamed Black Lives Matter Plaza, while celebrating the Juneteenth holiday June 19, 2020 in Washington, DC. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when a Union general read orders in Galveston, Texas stating all enslaved people in Texas were free according to federal law, effectively ending slavery in what remained of the Confederacy. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 19: People pray together during a Juneteenth event Organized by the One Race Movement at Centennial Olympic Park on June 19, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when a Union general read orders in Galveston, Texas stating all enslaved people in Texas were free according to federal law. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Adaysia Allen, 9, holds a flag of Egypt as she helps lead a Juneteenth motorcade from Max Brandon Park to downtown Flint, Mich., Friday, June 19, 2020. Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take control of the state and ensure all enslaved people be freed, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. (Jake May/The Flint Journal via AP)
People demonstrate during a march in Salt Lake City Friday, June 19, 2020, to mark Juneteenth, the holiday celebrating the day in 1865 that enslaved black people in Galveston, Texas, learned they had been freed from bondage, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Darren Wells stands on his float during a Juneteenth celebration, Friday, June 19, 2020, in Boston. Juneteenth commemorates when the last enslaved African Americans learned in 1865 they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
A group of climate change activists walk towards Black Lives Matter Plaza as people gather to celebrate Juneteenth on June 19, 2020 in Washington, United States. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when a Union general read orders in Galveston, Texas stating all enslaved people in Texas were free according to federal law. (Photo by Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images)
A person taking part in a Juneteenth march in Seattle wears a face mask that reads "I can't breathe," Friday, June 19, 2020. Thousands of people marched to honor the Juneteenth holiday and to protest against police violence and racism. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Rodney Newton raises his fist during a moment of silence for the time a Minneapolis police officer knelt on the neck of George Floyd at a Juneteenth protest outside the Statehouse, Friday, June 19, 2020, in Providence, R.I. Juneteenth commemorates when the last enslaved African Americans learned they were free 155 years ago. Now, with support growing for the racial justice movement, 2020 may be remembered as the year the holiday reached a new level of recognition. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

By Doug Duran | dduran@bayareanewsgroup.com | Bay Area News Group

PUBLISHED: June 19, 2020 at 4:25 p.m. | UPDATED: June 20, 2020 at 5:17 a.m.

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Associated Press

A traditional day of celebration turned into one of protest Friday, as Americans marked Juneteenth, a holiday that long commemorated the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans but that burst into the national conversation this year after widespread demonstrations against police brutality and racism.

In addition to the traditional cookouts and readings of the Emancipation Proclamation — the Civil War-era order that declared all slaves free in Confederate territory — Americans were marching, holding sit-ins or car caravan protests to demand racial justice and police reform.

Former President Abraham Lincoln first issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Sept. 22, 1862, and it became effective the following Jan. 1. But it wasn’t enforced in many places until after the end of the Civil War in April 1865. Word didn’t reach the last enslaved black people until June 19 of that year, when Union soldiers brought the news of freedom to Galveston, Texas.

Most states and the District of Columbia now recognize Juneteenth, which is a blend of the words June and 19th, as a state holiday or day of recognition, like Flag Day. But in the wake of protests of Floyd’s killing this year, many more Americans — especially white Americans — are becoming familiar with the holiday and commemorating it.

Events were expected to be held in every major American city on Friday. Numerous events were planned in and around Boston, including a rally organized by Black Lives Matter to call for an end to “mass incarceration and over-policing” of communities of color, and a labor union-organized automobile caravan as part of the nationwide Drive to Justice campaign, which seeks changes in policing and other measures.