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Posted: Tue 9:49 PM, Jun 19, 2012

Reporter: WIBW (Posted by Kion Hudson)

Topeka Residents Commemorate Juneteenth

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW)-- The week long Juneteenth Celebration continued tonight at Cushinberry Park.

Councilman John Alcala stopped by to give the welcome for the festivities.

He spoke with attendees and stuck around to listen to some live music by Topekan James Lett.

Juneteenth memorializes when African Americans were freed from slavery in Texas, two and a half years after the rest of the country got word.

Texas made it an official state holiday in 1980, many others are pushing President Obama to make Juneteenth an official national holiday.

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