STEUBENVILLE — More than 80 people stood in Thursday’s heat, waiting patiently for the flags to be raised and their anthem to be sung as Steubenville’s ninth-annual Juneteenth celebration kicked off outside Second Baptist Church.

The festivities at the church began with a community parade featuring the Steubenville High School band and children carrying a banner reflecting the theme of the day — reminding the crowd to “keep the dream alive” by presenting a “U.N.I.T.E.D. F.R.O.N.T … United Neighbors Ignites Teens And Education And Drug Awareness By Fostering Education, Respect And Openness With Never Ending Truths.” It also bore a picture of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Later in the afternoon, Juneteenth events were planned at North End Park.

“Remember where we come from,” the Rev. Maurice Larson said. “We’re here today because of the blood, the sweat and tears of our ancestors — they died for us to be here to celebrate this Juneteenth, our ninth-annual celebration. So, as we have fun, let us enjoy today but let us always remember our past.”

Thajia Jett Burton reminded the crowd that Juneteenth celebrates the day 160 years ago –June 19, 1865 — when 250,000 slaves in Galveston, Texas, found out they’d been emancipated two years earlier, pointing out that, though they “were no longer enslaved in the body, (they) were still enslaved in the mind.”

“Dr. King said it best, and I paraphrase, ‘Only light can drive out darkness, only love can drive out hate, and only justice can drive out injustice.

“There’s a crisis going on right now on American soil, where people are being snatched from their homes and families being deported to countries that are foreign to them, forcing them into imprisonment and bondage, not knowing if they will ever see their families again or have the freedoms they once had,” she continued. “Juneteenth, to me, not only symbolizes the freedom of Blacks, but freedom to all people of color, regardless of creed or denomination. Juneteenth reminds us not to take for granted the freedoms we have today in America, but also to continue the fight our forefathers started so long again — the fight for freedom, equality, unity, love and devotion. Those are the true meanings of Juneteenth.”

Burton said June 19, 1865, “is the day our journey to freedom officially began. It is up to us to do our part in ensuring our freedom for the generations to come.”

Michelle Mullins Moye reminded the crowd Opal Lee, a retired teacher and counselor, had walked from Texas to Washington, D.C., at the age of 89 to gain recognition for Juneteenth as a national holiday.

“I hope that people do pay attention,” said Moye, daughter of the late Coleman Mullins, a longtime city councilwoman. “I never thought that I would live in a day and time when books are banned, our voices are being attempted to be silenced.”

“Your knowledge of your history is your power,” she added. “Don’t allow anyone to take your power from you.”

Before reading the city’s Juneteenth proclamation, Mayor Jerrry Barilla said he’d been mulling how “in the Scripture, it says that ‘we are all made in the likeness and image of God.’ Not just a special group of people are made in (his) likeness, but all of us.”

“So, as I was pondering words for today, these words came to me: ‘When I look into your eyes, I see the pain of your ancestors; When I touch your skin, I feel the welts of the whip; And when I look upon your face, I see the injustice that you endure.’ Those are the words that came to me,” Barilla said.

First Ward Councilman Dave Albaugh applauded Second Baptist as “a pillar in our city, a source of faith, wisdom and unity” and pointing out that while Juneteenth is a time to rejoice, it’s also a time “to recommit ourselves to the work that still lives ahead, ensuring equity, opportunity and dignity for all. Together as a community we carry forward to (honor) those who came before us, not just in word, but in action

Fourth Ward Councilman Royal Mayo, meanwhile, told the crowd that they should celebrate today “but then continue the celebration afterwards with action and boots on the ground and make this a better country for everybody.”

Mayo said Black Americans need to look at roadblocks as “hurdles we need to overcome,” adding they “still have a long way to go.”

Second Baptist Pastor Jeff Stanford, meanwhile, urged the crowd to “stop making excuses and start exercising your faith, exercising your right to vote and exercising your place in history. We’ve got nothing if we don’t stand for nothing.”

Jefferson County Commissioner Eric Timmons, Wellsburg Mayor Dan Dudley and James Baber, pastor of Calvery Community Baptist Church, also addressed the crowd

Leroy Slappy Jr. and Zion Poole raised the flags over the site and Sabrina Jones and her son, Inky, sang “Lift Every Voice,” the Juneteenth anthem.

Mayo and Jones were the grand marshals for the parade.

Stanford also presented a plaque to Second Baptist’s Juneteenth celebration founders, William and Sheila Hendrick to show the community’s “appreciation and recognition” of their efforts over the past nine years.

Juneteenth activities will continue at Second Baptist through Saturday evening, and at North End Park through Sunday evening.

Mayo and Jones were grand marshals for the parade.