Activists gather in Orlando to silently protest racism, police brutality

ORLANDO, Fla. — Juneteenth is gaining new prominence this year amid protests for racial justice and the end of police brutality.

Thousands of demonstrators have marched through downtown Orlando in the wake of the death of George Floyd.

Juneteenth is considered the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S.

Read: Juneteenth: What to know about the holiday that celebrates slavery’s end

A group of activists fighting for prison and criminal justice reform gathered in a parking lot at the intersection of John Young Parkway and Colonial Drive.

The group was silent as they held up signs with names or more than 300 black people who they said lost their lives to racism and police brutality.

“Our plan is just to stand down the highway and just allow people to see how many people have actually suffered from such occurrences,” an activist said.

Activists came from as far as Jacksonville to participate in the event.

Read: Festivals, yoga, poetry slams and more: Your guide to Juneteenth events in Central Florida

© 2020 Cox Media Group