Akron ready to celebrate Juneteenth Wednesday [Video]

AKRON, Ohio (WJW) — The rescheduled Juneteenth celebration in Akron was quickly organized after Mayor Shammas Malik cancelled Juneteenth events on public property last weekend citing security concerns following a mass shooting at a large birthday gathering earlier this month.

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Last week, the mayor received a letter that was signed by eight Akron council members urging him to cancel the events.

Esther Thomas, the city’s Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, said she feels very good about Wednesday’s indoor and outdoor event after the police chief’s walk through at the John S. Knight Center Tuesday in advance of a Juneteenth celebrations there on Wednesday.

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“We are prepared, our safety forces are prepared, they have scrutinized every detail, and really I feel very safe moving forward,” Thomas said.