A crowd of more than 200 joined local officials and young leaders in recognizing Juneteenth at Bruce's Beach Park in Manhattan Beach on Thursday.

The second annual Juneteenth ceremony included speeches that were both hopeful and forward-looking, as well as activities such as an interactive butterfly-themed art project and information about the history of Bruce's Beach. 

In attendance were all members of the Manhattan Beach City Council, local elected officials and school district representatives, and representatives from local community organizations. Manhattan Beach Mayor Amy Howorth noted that the gathering included visitors from as far away as North Carolina. 

The ceremony began with the singing of the Black national anthem "Lift Every Voice and Sing" by recent Mira Costa graduate Jackie Beupre. 

Presenters included Janet Allen, school psychologist and Black Scholars Union advisor at Mira Costa High School; Zola Pickens, Donné Ward Jr., and Theodora Tuitupou of Mira Costa's Black Scholars Union; Anthony Lee, retired UCLA professor of African and African American history; and L.A. County Supervisor Holly Mitchell. 

Ward electrified the crowd with an impassioned speech urging participants to "stand with us not just in acknowledging the pain of the past and the present challenges, but in embracing the profound beauty, strength, and enduring hope that defines the Black experience in America." 

"Join us in the parades, share in our food, feel the rhythm of our music, listen to our stories, honor our ancestors, and recommit with us to the ongoing work of fulfilling that long-deferred justice," said Ward, "Because when we celebrate Juneteenth together, truly together, we don't just honor Black history; we affirm the shared strength of our community now, and we take a vital step towards building the more just, equitable, and joyous future that all our ancestors, in their struggles, dreamed of." 

Mitchell noted that the Bruce's Beach represents an important chapter in the history of Manhattan Beach, and is symbolic of the struggles represented in the celebration of Juneteenth.

"Bruce's Beach was never just a place to enjoy the coast; it was a refuge, a home, a business, a symbol of hope for Black families who were barred from every other stretch of sand in this state," said Mitchell. "And when that land was taken it wasn't just property that was lost, it was the American dream that was deferred. The return of that land to the Bruce family did not undo the pain ... But more importantly we took action to make it right. We set an example and a path for the entire nation. We've got to remember that justice isn't just symbolic. Justice looks like resources, it looks like policy in action." 

Lee, who donated an award-winning collection of volumes on Bruce's Beach to the Manhattan Beach Library, expressed appreciation for the ceremony but noted that the city still does not allow for a normal permit process to hold events at Bruce's Beach Park. "So there's still a struggle ahead," he said. "We're not going anywhere; we're going to continue to fight and struggle and protest and carry on, until we get closer and closer to that ideal we're all looking for," he said.

The city's recognition of Juneteenth continues with a talk by artist Keith Magruder on Friday evening, followed by a Juneteenth celebration and concert on Sunday afternoon.

The city is also commissioning a public art piece for Bruce's Beach Park that will contribute to the historical significance of the space. More than 100 submissions from nationally and internationally recognized artists have been received, said Howorth. 

Read here for more on the history of Bruce's Beach, the return of land to the Bruce family, and the Manhattan Beach City Council's apology for its role in the racially motivated condemnation of properties at Bruce’s Beach.