Juneteenth rally held in Ocoee

Bill Breeze Park was the location of a Juneteenth Rally for Justice held June 19 in Ocoee. State Rep. Geraldine Thompson led the event, which was sponsored by the city of Ocoee in partnership with local leaders.

Citizens attended, and many carried signs with phrases such as “black lives matter,” “silence is compliance” and “enough!”

The rally included a number of featured speakers: Thompson, “Let’s Hold Them Accountable”; Ocoee Mayor Rusty Johnson, “A Place for All”; former NFL player William Floyd, “Taking a Knee”; Ocoee Commissioner George Oliver, “From Sun Down Town to Sun Rise City”; Ocoee Commissioner Larry Brinson, “One Ocoee”; Rain Bellamy, rising senior at Ocoee High School, “Looking Back, Moving Forward”; Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, “We Won’t Let Hate Win”; Urban League President Dick Batchelor, “Corporate America’s Role”; Bruce Antone, Florida Legislative Black Caucus Chair, “Laws Not Words”; Sen. Randolph Bracy, “Justice Reform”;  law-enforcement officials, “No More George Floyds”; and faith leaders, who spoke on racism and pride.