CHULA VISTA, Calif. (KGTV) -- A traveling caravan was one of several events that took place around San Diego County to commemorate Juneteenth.
Angie Stuart, a retired Southwestern College professor, said with the current unrest she felt it was important to show support for the African-American community, so she organized a caravan.
On Friday morning, cars were decorated with posters, balloons, and streamers. People from all backgrounds came together to support one cause -- Black Lives Matter.
The caravan gathered to mark this important day in history, Juneteenth -- the day in 1865 when slaves in Texas learned they were free, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
RELATED: The history behind Juneteenth
Katie Ness Santana brought her three kids to the caravan. She wanted them to learn about this significant day in history and why it’s important to have equal rights for all.
“We just really wanted to celebrate this important day and raise awareness so the Black community throughout San Diego know we support them. We are allies, and it’s a great opportunity to teach the boys an important event I wasn’t even aware of,” she said.
Community activist Katrina Jordan joined the gathering for her son. Her way of bringing attention to the changes that need to be made.
“I have a son that’s 39 years old. He’s one of the big, tall, dark skinned. He’s viewed as a threat, so I had to come out,” Jordan said. “We’re tired … this has been going on so long [and] something has to change.”
Participants told 10News that they want Juneteenth to become a national holiday.
