D.C. is marking Emancipation Day while celebrating America鈥檚 250th anniversary with several major events planned across the city this week.
Emancipation Day commemorates the day in 1862 that marks the abolition of slavery and freed 3,100 enslaved people in the District.
The centerpiece of the celebration will be Sunday鈥檚 Emancipation Day parade, festival and concert at Franklin Park in Downtown D.C., headlined by rapper T.I.
鈥淟adies and gentlemen, the king of the south, Tip, T.I. Harris, three-time Grammy Award-winning rapper and actor, will be lighting up the Emancipation stage on Sunday,鈥� said Latoya Foster, director of the D.C. Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment.
The free concert will also feature D.C.-native, Grammy Award-winning singer M媒a, gospel artist Tye Tribbett, Backyard Band featuring Sugar Bear, Black Alley, Souls of Kingsmen and a performance from 鈥�44: The Musical.鈥� An is required.
Steve Walker, deputy chief of staff to Mayor Muriel Bowser, said Saturday marks 160 years to the day, “the first emancipated people celebrated their emancipation here at Franklin Park. So, we’re bringing it all home.”
Earlier on Sunday, Franklin Park will also host the Emancipation Day parade and festival.
Additional D.C. 250 events include on Thursday, where NASCAR driver Rajah Caruth is scheduled to appear, and a Full Democracy Luncheon will happen at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Friday.
On Saturday the D.C. 250 Kids Ball will be held at Planet Word.
鈥淭his is an event where our young people can get all dolled up in their attire. Don鈥檛 overthink it. Just be cute and free and royal,鈥� said Thennie Freeman, director of the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation, describing the Kids Ball.
City reassures public on safety following recent teen takeovers
As thousands of people are expected downtown for Emancipation Day events, some questions about safety follow so-called “teen takeovers” elsewhere in the city. Some of those recent incidents have resulted in arrests and temporary curfew zones, one of which involved Metro Transit Police making four arrests this past Saturday.
City officials said planning for Sunday鈥檚 events is routine and note that Emancipation Day celebrations have not seen public safety problems in the past.
鈥淲hat could be more secure than a place where the mayor of the nation鈥檚 capital is going to be herself?鈥� Latoya Foster said.
She also pointed to the concert鈥檚 track record.
鈥淣ot one Emancipation Day concert have we ever hosted where we鈥檝e had anything that would make you anxious 鈥� give you anxiety,鈥� Foster said. “With the level of entertainment we have, the security will be up a notch.”
Organizers also emphasized that security is coordinated across its agencies. City leaders said multiple departments are involved through the mayor鈥檚 special events task force, working alongside public safety agencies to prepare for large crowds.
At the same time, Freeman cautioned against broadly judging young people based on a handful of incidents.
鈥淓xtend grace. We were all once teenagers,鈥� Freeman said.
Officials said the focus for Sunday remains on celebrating D.C.鈥檚 history in a safe and welcoming environment.
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