Juneteenth events in Chicago area: Evanston march honors Opal Lee, message of unity

EVANSTON, Ill. (WLS) -- Crowds gathered in Evanston on Thursday to celebrate Juneteenth with "Opal's Walk for Freedom," a 2.5-mile march honoring Opal Lee, widely known as the grandmother of Juneteenth.

It was one of many events held across the Chicago area to celebrate the holiday.

The walk's distance symbolized the two and a half years it took for news of the Emancipation Proclamation to reach enslaved people in Texas. Participants marked the holiday with cheers of "Happy Juneteenth!" as they made their way along the route.

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Dione Sims, Lee's granddaughter, took part in the march, continuing a legacy she said is rooted in unity and celebration of freedom.

"people still coming together and celebrating the freedom, not just of being an African American that was emancipated, but being an American that's able to live out the freedom that our country and our Constitution provide for," Sims said.

Lee, 99, previously walked hundreds of miles across the country, urging lawmakers to recognize June 19 as a national day commemorating the end of slavery in the United States and to help bridge political divides. She is currently celebrating Juneteenth in Fort Worth, Texas.

"Juneteenth is a unifier, and it has always been our thought that it would be the healing start for bringing the country together, even more so now than ever," Sims said.

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The Evanston march was one of seven "Opal's Walk for Freedom" events taking place across the country. Participants included small businesses, marching bands, cheerleaders and hundreds of community members.

"What people need to do, especially now, is put aside their differences in politics and understand that everyone's freedom is the ultimate goal of this country," said marcher Jake Lane.

Officials and families also highlighted the importance of educating younger generations about the holiday's history. Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita attended with her family and said her children are learning about their heritage.

"My husband and I were a black and Asian couple, we call our kids Blaysian. It's important for us for them to know their history on both sides," Morita said.

Her daughter had been watching videos about Juneteenth earlier in the day, Morita said, calling the holiday an opportunity for learning and connection.

"It's an opportunity for us to educate our kids, but also for them to see that they're part of something bigger that embraces them and embraces it all," Morita said.

For some of the youngest participants, the message was simple.

"That it's good to celebrate," said Meiko Collins.

This Juneteenth, ABC7 is exploring the intersection of voting rights, Black liberation and America's history in a half-hour special airing this weekend. Join Cheryl Burton and Hosea Sanders Saturday at 6 p.m. on ABC7 or wherever you stream.