SELMA, Ala. (WSFA) – Selma was among several communities in the Black Belt that celebrated Juneteenth.
The celebration, called “Still We Rise,” was held at Foot Soldiers Park, where at least 100 people enjoyed music, black-owned vendors, food and civic engagement.
As founder and CEO of Foot Soldiers Park, Kimberly Smitherman said it’s a celebration of freedom and a reminder of the unfinished fight for equality.
“We have to fight for those same freedoms that they were fighting for, which should be a natural birthright but we know it’s not,” Smitherman said.
The celebration had tables encouraging people to register to vote, as a “critical election” in November is quickly approaching.
Smitherman mentioned that she is using the Juneteenth celebration to educate the youth. Several local students presented an oral essay about Juneteenth and what it means to them.
“It inspires us to be great, and it inspires us to …