ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – June 19 is Juneteenth, a day celebrating the end of slavery in America. Citizens of Delta County recognized the holiday by holding a demonstration in Escanaba.
A group of demonstrators gathered at the busy intersection of Lincoln Road and Ludington Street to celebrate both Juneteenth and Pride Month. They waved pride flags and signs about equality, treating others with dignity, and promoting diversity.
The demonstration was organized by Delta County Unified. Founder Leah Belanger says the group wanted to speak up for marginalized communities that often aren’t given opportunities to speak for themselves.
“A lot of people up here don’t necessarily have exposure to a diversity of people and thoughts and beliefs like big cities have,” she said. “We want to promote that idea that it’s a diverse country and we should support that.”
Delta County Unified is a local branch of the Indivisible movement.