Thousands of anti-racism protesters marched from Vancouver’s Jack Poole Plaza to Sunset Beach for a rally marking Juneteenth on Friday.

Vancouver police have estimated the crowd at about 6,000 people.

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day and Emancipation Day, began in 1865 in the United States to commemorate the freeing of slaves in Texas — more than two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
The march began at the plaza around 4:30 p.m., before moving south on Thurlow Street, turning right onto Pacific Street, and ending at Sunset Beach Park.

Black artists and speakers were scheduled to address the crowd from a stage at the final destination.Black-owned businesses will were also on site to showcase local Black culture and food.
Filmed by Ashley Pitt.