Curtis Byrd, a Santa Rosa pastor and activist, has died at the age of 62. Byrd worked on the Santa Rosa Planning Commission and the Mayor's Gang Task Force
by Nadia Bidarian and Mark McDermott
A Bob Marley medley performance, a drum circle led by percussionist Curtis Byrd, speeches by Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn and State Senator Steven Bradford, and three food trucks were among the highlights of the Juneteenth celebration at Bruce’s Beach Park on Saturday.
Though Juneteenth celebrates the freeing of slaves in Texas in 1865, President Joe Biden declared the day a national holiday just last week. Kavon Ward, founder of Justice for Bruce’s Beach, organized Saturday’s celebration, which marked a momentous year since she launched her movement last Juneteenth at what was then a park with a little-known history.