Juneteenth celebration draws a crowd at Lancaster Distilleries in Columbia

 

About 150 people gathered at Lancaster Distilleries on North 4th Street in Columbia on Sunday to commemorate Juneteenth.

About 150 people gathered at Lancaster Distilleries on North 4th Street on Sunday afternoon to commemorate Juneteenth, the federal holiday marking the end of slavery in the United States.

Columbia's Brad Chambers organized and emceed the event.

Columbia resident Brad Chambers, who previously ran for Pennsylvania State House in the 41st district, organized Sunday's event and served as master of ceremonies. The celebration featured a series of speakers who addressed the historical significance of the black experience in America, covering topics from slavery through modern civil rights legislation.

Mekkai Williams is a 20-year-old Democratic candidate for the Hempfield School District school board.

Among the featured speakers was Mekkai Williams, a 20-year-old Democratic candidate for the Hempfield School District school board. Williams, who graduated from Hempfield High School in 2022, represents a new generation of political engagement.

Izzy Smith-Wade-El spoke off-the-cuff about the end of slavery, and civil rights during the period of 1965-75.

The event also featured remarks from Izzy Smith-Wade-El, who currently serves as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 49th district. Wade-El was elected in November 2022 and assumed office on December 1 of that year.

Ahmed, who has served on the Lancaster City Council since December 2022, spoke of his experiences as a former refugee from Chad, Africa. 

Lancaster City Councilman Ahmed Ahmed also addressed the crowd. Ahmed has served on the Lancaster City Council since December 2022, with his current term extending through January 2026.

Music was provided by "Mama Tried."

The gathering at Lancaster Distilleries represents part of a broader national observance of Juneteenth, which became a federal holiday in 2021 and commemorates June 19, 1865, when news of emancipation reached enslaved people in Texas.