Photos: Juneteenth celebration in Iowa City

Dozens gathered Saturday for a Juneteenth celebration in Iowa City. The event followed more than two weeks of protests for racial justice in the city, coinciding with nationwide protests. Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved people of Texas, then the most remote region of the Confederacy, finally learned slavery had been abolished and that they were free. Recent demonstrations against police killings of Black Americans and growing recognition of systemic racism have shined a brighter light on Juneteenth.

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Johnson County Supervisor Royceann Porter (right) and other volunteers prepare food during a Juneteenth Celebration in Iowa City on Saturday, June 20, 2020. The event capped more than two weeks of protests for racial justice in Iowa City. (Nick Rohlman/freelance)

Johnson County Supervisor Royceann Porter speaks with Iowa City Ccouncil member Mazahir Salih while preparing food during a Juneteenth Celebration in Iowa City on Saturday, June 20, 2020. The event capped more than two weeks of protests for racial justice in Iowa City. (Nick Rohlman/freelance)

Attorney Rockne Cole speaks during a Juneteenth Celebration in Iowa City on Saturday, June 20, 2020. The event capped more than two weeks of protests for racial justice in Iowa City. Cole represents Iowa Freedom Riders organizer Mazin Mohamedali. (Nick Rohlman/freelance)

Community members gather on the Pentacrest during a Juneteenth Celebration in Iowa City on Saturday, June 20, 2020. The event capped more than two weeks of protests for racial justice in Iowa City. (Nick Rohlman/freelance)

Protesters march Clinton Street during a Juneteenth Celebration in Iowa City on Saturday, June 20, 2020. The event capped more than two weeks of protests for racial justice in Iowa City. (Nick Rohlman/freelance)

Protesters march on Burlington Street during a Juneteenth Celebration in Iowa City on Saturday, June 20, 2020. The event capped more than two weeks of protests for racial justice in Iowa City. (Nick Rohlman/freelance)

Protesters gather at the intersection of Gilbert and Burlington streets during a Juneteenth Celebration in Iowa City on Saturday, June 20, 2020. The event capped more than two weeks of protests for racial justice in Iowa City. (Nick Rohlman/freelance)

Volunteers serve food to community members during a Juneteenth Celebration in Iowa City on Saturday, June 20, 2020. The event capped more than two weeks of protests for racial justice in Iowa City. (Nick Rohlman/freelance)