Somber voices cut through the joyful atmosphere at Saturday’s Juneteenth Parade Celebration in north Omaha.
“We want justice, we want peace,” shouted members of Families of the Stolen as they marched the parade route that ran along 30th Street from Lake to Sprague Streets.
Families of the Stolen is an organization founded by Buffy Bush to support and represent those who have lost loved ones to violence.
Bush rode the parade route in a white Jeep along with her nephews, whose mother, Jamelia Hesseltine, was murdered in her home eight years ago. Bush said she can’t find peace until her sister’s murderer is brought to justice.
She was joined by families experiencing their own loss, including the loved ones of Jasmine Harris, who was shot and killed in the Old Market about a year ago, and the families of Latecia Fox and Jakela Foster, who were killed in a gang-related shooting in 2015.
“It was an emotional day for the families because we’ve had a lot of first-time families here,” Bush said.
“Without our community we won’t receive justice. Somebody has to speak up.”
The group was well-received by the crowd lining the route — many paradegoers shouted words of encouragement and a few jogged into the street for a hug.
Juneteenth is a holiday on June 19 that marks the day when slaves in Texas learned of their freedom two years after the Emancipation Proclamation signed by Abraham Lincoln went into effect in 1863.
Dayneisha Jackson has been coming to the Juneteenth parade since she was 10 years old. Saturday, she brought her daughters, ages 8 and 11.
“It’s something that we do as a black community; everyone should try to come down and enjoy themselves for the weekend,” she said.
Eddie and Lynn Walker have also tried to make the parade a tradition.
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“It’s something that’s been going on for generations and generations so we just try to come out and support it,” said Eddie.
For Latoya Moses, the day is all about supporting local groups and businesses.
“I love all the drill teams and all the support out here,” Moses said. “It’s just about celebrating us as a community and getting together supporting all the businesses. I love my city.”
Robin Robson said he and his wife came for the celebration and to reflect on the importance of Juneteenth.
“I think it’s very important,” Robson said. “We have to remember these things or we’re destined to repeat them.
“With the current climate — we thought that some of these issues were behind us and we see that they aren’t.”
The parade was followed by the Taste of North Omaha, which featured north Omaha entrepreneurs, chefs and restaurants.
A mural painted on the alley side of the O street apartments in South Omaha.
A small portion of a mural by Richard and Rebecca Harrison of A Midsummer's Mural on the west side of the Koenig|Dunne Divorce Law offices. The mural is intended to represent the diversity and vibrancy of the 13th Street neighborhood and can be seen at 1266 S. 13th St.
Craig Lee steps back for perspective while painting his 10-year-old yellow lab, Georgia, into a mural near the corner of 35th and Center Streets on July 17, 2012.
Weston Thomson, education director for The Kent Bellows Studio and Center for the Visual Arts, works on a new mural painted to commemorate the Gifford Park community at 33rd and California streets on Sept. 21, 2013.
Lisa Kalantjakos, 50, with the non-profit called WhyArts, puts finishing touches on a mural on the backside of Tip Top Thrift Shop Inc. in Benson near 60th and Maple streets on June 5, 2014.
A mural by Richard and Rebecca Harrison of A Midsummer's Mural on the west side of the Koenig|Dunne Divorce Law offices. The mural is intended to represent the diversity and vibrancy of the 13th Street neighborhood and can be seen at 1266 S. 13th St.
"The Mother’’ in the Benson Business District portrays Mother Nature as the trunk of a tree. It was a collaborative effort by Renee Ledesma and Jasmine Ruch.
This mural, titled "Community Visions," is one of several in an underground parking area at the UNO Community Engagement Center. The series was painted by a six-person team of Omaha high school students and adult artist mentors, including UNO student Hugo Zamorano.
The iconic mural at the original Jams restaurant off 78th and Dodge Streets stretched the length of the restaurant. It was auctioned off in 2015 after the restaurant was sold in 2014 and then renovated.
Peter Wheeldon, top, and Alex Thatcher with Heartland Scenic Studio hang the mural on a wall below the tree. Salvation Army's tree of lights display at American National Bank, 90th and West Dodge Streets, will include a 16' x 48' mural painted by Jeremiah Neal, a formerly homeless person who works at Immanuel Village as a dishwasher.
Artist Richard Harrison stands outside of the Lithuanian Bakery, 5217 S. 33rd Ave., on March 11, 2016. The mural on the building is called, "Sieninis Paveikslas." The South Omaha Mural Project aims to create a series of 10 murals depicting the cultural traditions of immigrant groups who have settled in South Omaha neighborhoods.
This is the "Magic City" mural located at 24th and N streets. The South Omaha Mural Project aims to create a series of 10 murals depicting the cultural traditions of immigrant groups who have settled in South Omaha neighborhoods.
Jack Koraleski, acting CEO and president of Union Pacific, in the lobby of Union Pacific headquarters in downtown Omaha. The mural behind celebrates Union Pacific's history and their 150th anniversary.
Betni Kalk was the mentor for this mural on the silos near 35th and Vinton Streets. She worked with a group of students through Joslyn Art Museum’s Kent Bellows Mentoring Program.
Murals on Leavenworth Street by Maggie Weber range from a welcome to the Morton Meadows neighborhood on 42nd Street to “Sedusa’’ on 45th Street, with its giant snakes and Medusa-type figure. “I love public art because it is so accessible,’’ Weber said.
David Brice takes a photo of the Reggie LeFlore mural titled "The Ancestor, The Identity, and The Seed" on the southwest corner of 24th and Ohio Streets on Oct. 6, 2018.
A man riding a motorcycle while wearing an American flag helmet travels past an artistic vote mural on South 10th Street in South Omaha on Sept. 25, 2018.
The Neil family of Gretna — Jill and Mike with their children 14-month-old, Syrus, Ashton, 13, Hailey, 9, Kailyn, 12 — walk past a large mural while arriving at Werner Park for the game between the Kansas City Royals and the Omaha Storm Chasers in Papillion on March 25, 2019.
A historical mural painted on the north side of Florence Hardware, 7915 N. 30th St. The handprints along the bottom belong to students of Florence Elementary.
The "Sieninis Paveikslas" mural on the Lithuanian Bakery, 5217 S. 33rd Ave., shows an image of Rev. Juozas Jusevicius, who in 1932 was the pastor of St. Anthony's Church.
Photos: Thought-provoking murals enrich Omaha walls and buildings
Omahans sure love their murals. Check out these pieces of art — space aliens, octopuses and vegetables, oh my! — you can find all over the city.
A mural painted on the alley side of the O street apartments in South Omaha.
KILEY CRUSE/THE WORLD-HERALD
Linda Williams, right, walks past a mural while giving a tour of north Omaha at 24th and Lake Streets with Restoration Exchange Omaha on Aug. 2, 2013.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
A hand-painted mural of a brick alleyway in Tuscany is in the Cast Iron Bistro & Venue.
REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERALD
Children run past a mural depicting Jesus with children at Augustana Lutheran Church on July 12, 2017.
RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
A small portion of a mural by Richard and Rebecca Harrison of A Midsummer's Mural on the west side of the Koenig|Dunne Divorce Law offices. The mural is intended to represent the diversity and vibrancy of the 13th Street neighborhood and can be seen at 1266 S. 13th St.
MARK DAVIS/THE WORLD-HERALD
The Bohemian Cafe mural on the side of the building at 1406 S. 13th St.
KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD
Eileen Hill walks past a mural near the intersection of Park Avenue and Leavenworth Street on Sept. 13, 2012.
RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Cars pass the grain elevator mural on Interstate 80 in Omaha on May 23, 2012.
ALYSSA SCHUKAR/THE WORLD-HERALD
Craig Lee steps back for perspective while painting his 10-year-old yellow lab, Georgia, into a mural near the corner of 35th and Center Streets on July 17, 2012.
REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERALD
Weston Thomson, education director for The Kent Bellows Studio and Center for the Visual Arts, works on a new mural painted to commemorate the Gifford Park community at 33rd and California streets on Sept. 21, 2013.
KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD
Lisa Kalantjakos, 50, with the non-profit called WhyArts, puts finishing touches on a mural on the backside of Tip Top Thrift Shop Inc. in Benson near 60th and Maple streets on June 5, 2014.
BRYNN ANDERSON/THE WORLD-HERALD
A mural by Richard and Rebecca Harrison of A Midsummer's Mural on the west side of the Koenig|Dunne Divorce Law offices. The mural is intended to represent the diversity and vibrancy of the 13th Street neighborhood and can be seen at 1266 S. 13th St.
MARK DAVIS/THE WORLD-HERALD
The mural "Fertile Ground," located in north downtown Omaha.
HOWARD K. MARCUS/THE WORLD-HERAL
The "Homer" mural is located in the alley behind the Pizza Shoppe in Benson, 6056 Maple St.
HOWARD K. MARCUS/THE WORLD-HERALD
"The Mother’’ in the Benson Business District portrays Mother Nature as the trunk of a tree. It was a collaborative effort by Renee Ledesma and Jasmine Ruch.
MARJIE DUCEY/THE WORLD-HERALD
The "Hitchcock" mural located on west side of Film Streams in downtown Omaha.
HOWARD K. MARCUS/THE WORLD-HERALD
This mural, titled "Community Visions," is one of several in an underground parking area at the UNO Community Engagement Center. The series was painted by a six-person team of Omaha high school students and adult artist mentors, including UNO student Hugo Zamorano.
THE KENT BELLOWS PROJECT
Runners and walkers run past the Fertile Ground mural during the Color Vibe 5K in downtown Omaha on April 18, 2015.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
The iconic mural at the original Jams restaurant off 78th and Dodge Streets stretched the length of the restaurant. It was auctioned off in 2015 after the restaurant was sold in 2014 and then renovated.
JAMES R. BURNETT/THE WORLD-HERALD
A mural created by ten men from the Sienna-Francis House hangs at American National Bank near 90th and Dodge Streets.
MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
Peter Wheeldon, top, and Alex Thatcher with Heartland Scenic Studio hang the mural on a wall below the tree. Salvation Army's tree of lights display at American National Bank, 90th and West Dodge Streets, will include a 16' x 48' mural painted by Jeremiah Neal, a formerly homeless person who works at Immanuel Village as a dishwasher.
KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD
Artist Richard Harrison stands outside of the Lithuanian Bakery, 5217 S. 33rd Ave., on March 11, 2016. The mural on the building is called, "Sieninis Paveikslas." The South Omaha Mural Project aims to create a series of 10 murals depicting the cultural traditions of immigrant groups who have settled in South Omaha neighborhoods.
RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
This is the "Magic City" mural located at 24th and N streets. The South Omaha Mural Project aims to create a series of 10 murals depicting the cultural traditions of immigrant groups who have settled in South Omaha neighborhoods.
RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Jack Koraleski, acting CEO and president of Union Pacific, in the lobby of Union Pacific headquarters in downtown Omaha. The mural behind celebrates Union Pacific's history and their 150th anniversary.
KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD
The Mexican Heritage Mural on El Mercado building, 4913 S. 25th St.
CONNOR CAHILL
People work on a mural by Artist Christine Stormberg on July 28, 2016, near N. 30th and State Streets in Florence.
SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
This mural, painted by 2010 Bryan graduate Hugo Zamorano, graces the Rubicon AgroBox at Bryan High School.
ERIC TAYLOR
A close-up view of an eye mural by Maggie Weber in the Benson business district.
THE WORLD-HERALD
A photo of the mural at 36th and W Streets celebrating Croatian immigrants.
EMILY NITCHER/THE WORLD-HERALD
Betni Kalk was the mentor for this mural on the silos near 35th and Vinton Streets. She worked with a group of students through Joslyn Art Museum’s Kent Bellows Mentoring Program.
THE WORLD-HERALD
Betni Kalk did this mural at 31st and Parker Streets for the Prospect Village neighborhood.
THE WORLD-HERALD
Daria Hlazatova is known for her magical murals. This is also in Benson.
THE WORLD-HERALD
The Avanza mural near 29th and Leavenworth Streets was done by Mike Giron, Rebecca van Ornam and Richard Harrison.
MARJIE DUCEY/THE WORLD-HERALD
Another mural located along Leavenworth Street.
MARJIE DUCEY/THE WORLD-HERALD
Maggie Weber’s "Sedusa" located on 45th and Leavenworth.
MARJIE DUCEY/THE WORLD-HERALD
This mural by Chor Boogie, at the Salem Food Pantry, is one of several near 24th and Burdette Streets.
THE WORLD-HERALD
Murals on Leavenworth Street by Maggie Weber range from a welcome to the Morton Meadows neighborhood on 42nd Street to “Sedusa’’ on 45th Street, with its giant snakes and Medusa-type figure. “I love public art because it is so accessible,’’ Weber said.
MARJIE DUCEY/THE WORLD-HERALD
Another mural located along Leavenworth Street in Omaha.
MARJIE DUCEY/THE WORLD-HERALD
The First Nation Bank of Omaha mural sign visible from the rooftop.
KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD
A piece of art by Boris T. Bally titled, Converging Ripples, is a mural using street signs displayed on the Jewish Community Center.
BRENDAN SULLIVAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
A staircase mural created with Joslyn's Kent Bellows Mentoring Program.
KILEY CRUSE/THE WORLD-HERALD
David Brice takes a photo of the Reggie LeFlore mural titled "The Ancestor, The Identity, and The Seed" on the southwest corner of 24th and Ohio Streets on Oct. 6, 2018.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
The mural at Omaha Fire Station 31, located at 4702 S. 25th St.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
A man riding a motorcycle while wearing an American flag helmet travels past an artistic vote mural on South 10th Street in South Omaha on Sept. 25, 2018.
BRENDAN SULLIVAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
The Neil family of Gretna — Jill and Mike with their children 14-month-old, Syrus, Ashton, 13, Hailey, 9, Kailyn, 12 — walk past a large mural while arriving at Werner Park for the game between the Kansas City Royals and the Omaha Storm Chasers in Papillion on March 25, 2019.
BRENDAN SULLIVAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
A historical mural painted on the north side of Florence Hardware, 7915 N. 30th St. The handprints along the bottom belong to students of Florence Elementary.
RICH JANDA/THE WORLD-HERALD
A mural in the Benson neighborhood.
THE WORLD-HERALD
A mural located along Leavenworth Street.
MARJIE DUCEY/THE WORLD-HERALD
Another mural located along Leavenworth Street.
MARJEY DUCEY/THE WORLD-HERALD
A mural painted on a building along Leavenworth Street.
MARJEY DUCEY/THE WORLD-HERALD
A Leavenworth Street mural depicting a snake.
MARJEY DUCEY/THE WORLD-HERALD
Another Leavenworth Street mural.
MARJEY DUCEY/THE WORLD-HERALD
A mural painted on the side of Barrett's Barleycorn Pub & Grill, 4322 Leavenworth St.
MARJEY DUCEY/THE WORLD-HERALD
A mural depicting a bike, located on a building along Leavenworth Street.
MARJIE DUCEY/THE WORLD-HERALD
An abstract art mural located along Leavenworth Street.
MARJIE DUCEY/THE WORLD-HERALD
An octopus mural located on a building along Leavenworth Street.
MARJIE DUCEY/THE WORLD-HERALD
A mural depicting vegetables and fruit along Leavenworth Street.
MARJIE DUCEY/THE WORLD-HERALD
A vegetable mural located on a building along Leavenworth Street.
MARJIE DUCEY/THE WORLD-HERALD
A mural depicting fruits and vegetables on a building along Leavenworth Street.
MARJIE DUCEY/THE WORLD-HERALD
A mural depicting fruit and vegetables on a building along Leavenworth Street.
MARJIE DUCEY/THE WORLD-HERALD
A mural located in the Gifford Park neighborhood.
THE WORLD-HERALD
A "Love" mural located in North Omaha.
THE WORLD-HERALD
A mural located in North Omaha.
THE WORLD-HERALD
A mural located in North Omaha.
THE WORLD-HERALD
A mural located in North Omaha.
THE WORLD-HERALD
A mural located in North Omaha.
THE WORLD-HERALD
A mural located in North Omaha.
THE WORLD-HERALD
A mural located in North Omaha.
THE WORLD-HERALD
A mural in North Omaha.
THE WORLD-HERALD
A mural in North Omaha.
THE WORLD-HERALD
The "Sieninis Paveikslas" mural on the Lithuanian Bakery, 5217 S. 33rd Ave., shows an image of Rev. Juozas Jusevicius, who in 1932 was the pastor of St. Anthony's Church.
RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
"Turner Park, a mural by Watie White at Midtown Crossing.
2019 PHOTO: Members of Families of the Stolen, a support group for families who have lost loved ones to violence, march in the Juneteenth parade along 30th Street.