<p>Fifteen people were shot during a violent incident at a Juneteenth celebration at Lake Merritt, Oakland&nbsp;— over 800 miles south of Washington DC&nbsp;— in the intervening night of June 19 and June 20. The event, which turned chaotic due to an illegal "sideshow," led police to search for multiple shooters as more than 50 shell casings were found at the scene.</p>

<p>No arrests had been made by Thursday afternoon (June 20).</p>

<h2><strong>Juneteenth shooting incident: What happened in Oakland?</strong></h2>

<p>The peaceful Juneteenth gathering, attended by approximately 5,000 people, was disrupted around 8:15 pm (local time) when about 20 vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles and dirt bikes, began a sideshow on the north side of the lake.</p>

<p>Sideshows, or street takeovers, involve dangerous stunts like doughnuts, drifting, and burnouts, often drawing large crowds and obstructing traffic.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;US Elections 2024: US President Biden, VP Harris mark Juneteenth</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-elections-2024-us-president-biden-vp-harris-mark-juneteenth-730861/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The pattern of mass celebrations morphing into violent&nbsp;sideshows&nbsp;has become increasingly prevalent in cities across the United States, including Oakland.</p>

<p>Oakland Police Chief Floyd Mitchell reported that the violence escalated when an individual walked across the hood of a sideshow vehicle, prompting multiple occupants to exit the car and attack the person, who sustained injuries severe enough to require hospitalisation, Associated Press reported.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/juneteenth-2024-from-history-significance-to-special-events-all-you-need-to-know-733298">Juneteenth 2024: From history, significance to special events - All you need to know</a></strong></p>

<p>The potentially&nbsp;racist motivations in the incident could not be immediately ascertained.</p>

<p>The chaotic scene worsened as some in the crowd began attacking police officers.</p>

<p>A woman was arrested for assaulting an officer who was administering first aid to a gunshot victim.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Among the victims, one person remained in critical condition, with ages ranging from 20 to 30 years old. Other injuries included the loss of fingers and minor gunshot wounds.</p>

<p>"The opportunity to celebrate with your family and friends should never be marred by gunfire," said Chief Mitchell during a Thursday news conference.</p>

<p>Juneteenth, observed on June 19, commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation and the end of the Civil War. The holiday was designated a federal holiday in 2021 and has since gained wider recognition, marked by numerous public festivities.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Fifteen people were shot during a violent incident at a Juneteenth celebration at Lake Merritt, Oakland — over 800 miles south of Washington DC — in the intervening night of June 19 and June 20.

Fifteen people were shot during a violent incident at a Juneteenth celebration at Lake Merritt, Oakland — over 800 miles south of Washington DC — in the intervening night of June 19 and June 20. The event, which turned chaotic due to an illegal "sideshow," led police to search for multiple shooters as more than 50 shell casings were found at the scene. No arrests had been made by Thursday afternoon (June 20). Juneteenth shooting incident: What happened in Oakland? The peaceful Juneteenth gathering, attended by approximately 5,000 people, was disrupted around 8:15 pm (local time) when about 20 vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles and dirt bikes, began a sideshow on the north side of the lake. Sideshows, or street takeovers, involve dangerous stunts like doughnuts, drifting, and burnouts, often drawing large crowds and obstructing traffic. Also watch | US Elections 2024: US President Biden, VP Harris mark Juneteenth × The pattern of mass celebrations morphing into violent sideshows has become increasingly prevalent in cities across the United States, including Oakland. Oakland Police Chief Floyd Mitchell reported that the violence escalated when an individual walked across the hood of a sideshow vehicle, prompting multiple occupants to exit the car and attack the person, who sustained injuries severe enough to require hospitalisation, Associated Press reported. Also read | Juneteenth 2024: From history, significance to special events - All you need to know The potentially racist motivations in the incident could not be immediately ascertained. The chaotic scene worsened as some in the crowd began attacking police officers. A woman was arrested for assaulting an officer who was administering first aid to a gunshot victim. Among the victims, one person remained in critical condition, with ages ranging from 20 to 30 years old. Other injuries included the loss of fingers and minor gunshot wounds. "The opportunity to celebrate with your family and friends should never be marred by gunfire," said Chief Mitchell during a Thursday news conference. Juneteenth, observed on June 19, commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation and the end of the Civil War. The holiday was designated a federal holiday in 2021 and has since gained wider recognition, marked by numerous public festivities. (With inputs from agencies)

Oakland Juneteenth celebrations morph into show of violence, 15 injured in shooting incident

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuidjl7QwbzaxzMr" /></p>

<p>Juneteenth, which was declared a federal holiday in 2021, honours the Civil War-era abolition of slavery in the United States. As the name suggests, it falls on June 19 every year. Many Black communities have held the Juneteenth celebration in high regard for over 150 years.</p>

<p>It commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas learned they had been emancipated, two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.</p>

<p>After becoming a federal holiday in 2021, Juneteenth is now celebrated more widely outside of Black America. A lot of people get the day off from work or school, and there are lots of fairs, concerts, street festivals, and other activities.</p>

<h2><strong>How is Juneteenth celebrated?</strong></h2>

<p>Gatherings and barbeques are the foundation of Juneteenth celebrations. In the early days of the festival known as Black Americans' actual Independence Day, the outdoors allowed for massive reunions of previously enslaved family members, many of whom had been separated.</p>

<p>The White House got things started early last week with a Juneteenth and Black Music Month event on the South Lawn. Known performers from rap, jazz, gospel, and other genres including singers Gladys Knight and Patti LaBelle were in the lineup. The first Black vice president, Kamala Harris, danced on stage with gospel musician Kirk Franklin.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/international-yoga-day-2024-date-theme-history-and-significance-733238">International Yoga Day 2024: Date, theme, history and significance</a></strong></p>

<p>“Today as we celebrate Juneteenth, together we are reminded of the promise of America. A promise of freedom, liberty and opportunity, not for some but for all. In many ways the story of Juneteenth and our nation is a story of our ongoing fight to realize that promise,” Harris said in opening remarks.</p>

<h2><strong>Are there any public Juneteenth events going on around the country?</strong></h2>

<p>If you search online, you'll find a plethora of events in suburbs and big cities, all with different vibes. Certain events are more akin to carnivals, with food trucks, handicrafts, and parades. Concerts and fashion displays are another way to celebrate Black creativity and excellence.</p>

<h2><strong>Are there special food offered on Juneteenth?</strong></h2>

<p>For years, the colour red has been a staple of Juneteenth cuisine, aside from barbecue. Red represents the sacrifice and bloodshed of ancestors who were held as slaves. Red velvet cake, watermelon, and barbecued ribs or other red meat could feature on a Juneteenth menu.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Juneteenth, which was declared a federal holiday in 2021, honours the Civil War-era abolition of slavery in the United States. As the name suggests, it falls on June 19 every year.

Juneteenth, which was declared a federal holiday in 2021, honours the Civil War-era abolition of slavery in the United States. As the name suggests, it falls on June 19 every year. Many Black communities have held the Juneteenth celebration in high regard for over 150 years. It commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas learned they had been emancipated, two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. After becoming a federal holiday in 2021, Juneteenth is now celebrated more widely outside of Black America. A lot of people get the day off from work or school, and there are lots of fairs, concerts, street festivals, and other activities. How is Juneteenth celebrated? Gatherings and barbeques are the foundation of Juneteenth celebrations. In the early days of the festival known as Black Americans' actual Independence Day, the outdoors allowed for massive reunions of previously enslaved family members, many of whom had been separated. The White House got things started early last week with a Juneteenth and Black Music Month event on the South Lawn. Known performers from rap, jazz, gospel, and other genres including singers Gladys Knight and Patti LaBelle were in the lineup. The first Black vice president, Kamala Harris, danced on stage with gospel musician Kirk Franklin. Also read: International Yoga Day 2024: Date, theme, history and significance “Today as we celebrate Juneteenth, together we are reminded of the promise of America. A promise of freedom, liberty and opportunity, not for some but for all. In many ways the story of Juneteenth and our nation is a story of our ongoing fight to realize that promise,” Harris said in opening remarks. Are there any public Juneteenth events going on around the country? If you search online, you'll find a plethora of events in suburbs and big cities, all with different vibes. Certain events are more akin to carnivals, with food trucks, handicrafts, and parades. Concerts and fashion displays are another way to celebrate Black creativity and excellence. Are there special food offered on Juneteenth? For years, the colour red has been a staple of Juneteenth cuisine, aside from barbecue. Red represents the sacrifice and bloodshed of ancestors who were held as slaves. Red velvet cake, watermelon, and barbecued ribs or other red meat could feature on a Juneteenth menu. (With inputs from agencies)

Juneteenth 2024: From history, significance to special events - All you need to know

juneteenth-events

Juneteenth Events, News on Juneteenth Events, stories on Juneteenth Events, articles on Juneteenth Events, Juneteenth Events stories at Wion, Juneteenth Events news, Juneteenth Events latest news

juneteenth events

Oakland Juneteenth celebrations morph into show of violence, 15 injured in shooting incident

Juneteenth 2024: From history, significance to special events - All you need to know