'We can't operate in fear': Juneteenth festival at Joy Park pushes ahead despite shooting

After last week's mass shooting in East Akron, Tara Mosley Weems said she didn't even consider canceling Saturday's Juneteenth celebration at Joy Park Community Center, located at 825 James Ingram Way.

"I think it's important that our residents have a place where they can go on congregate, and see and speak with one another and enjoy the outdoors festivities, Mosley Weems said. "And, and one of the things that that we have continued to say is we can't operate in fear."

She said that if she felt that it would be unsafe for residents to attend, she would have canceled the event.

"I called and spoke with the police department about it, and they assured me that they would have ample security there," she said, adding that without a police presence, the event wouldn't be held.

While the police have always been involved with the event — the department sets up a recruiting tent in addition to providing security, Mosley Weems said — she's expecting a larger police presence this year.

"I have spoken with Capt. (Michael) Miller," she said. "I've spoken with Sgt. (Michael) Murphy, who always made sure that we have a nice police presence. I also put in that request with Mayor (Shammas) Malik as well that we have a strong police presence.

At a Wednesday press conference, Akron Police Chief Brian Harding and Malik said the city will work with community leaders to learn about large gatherings outside the city's purview in order to proactively ensure the guests' safety.

"Everyone in every area deserves to feel safe," Harding said. "We take that very seriously."

What's planned for Ward 5's Juneteenth festival?

This marks the fifth year of Ward 5's Juneteenth celebrations. The festival starts at 12 p.m. and runs until 5 p.m.

Mosley Weems said the festival will include a live performance by Rayr Image. DJ Chaka will play music throughout the day, too.

The festival has always included a DJ, Mosley Weems said, but this is the first year featuring a live performance.

There will be a kids' zone with a splash pad, pickleball, basketball and a walking track, as well as vendors — including food — and clothing merchants.

There will also be awards given to community members, including the Ward 5 Juneteenth Award and the James Ingram Legacy Award.

"So we're excited about all the new attractions at Joy Park," said Mosley Weems. "This is the first year that during Juneteenth that we will actually have the pickleball courts up and running, and the walking path."

A good neighborhood with good people

A leader in East Akron's faith community agreed with Mosley Weems that the Juneteenth festival needs to happen.

"We can't let the fear of something happening stop the progress of our neighborhood," said Greg Partridge, pastor of New Exodus Christian Fellowship Church on South Arlington Street.

Partridge helped organize a gospel festival and health fair that was planned for a few weeks ago at Joy Park Community Center. Cleveland Clinic and Habitat for Humanity planned to participate and numerous choirs had signed on. The event was canceled, though, when there was a shooting at the nearby Joy Park Homes two days before the fair was scheduled.

Partridge said he was disappointed, though he understood the concern over potential retaliation and safety. He said health fairs will be held in conjunction with concerts at Joy Park this summer, and he is hoping to line up a gospel festival for next year.

Partridge said he is confident police can provide extra security and the Juneteenth festival will happen without a hitch.

"I'm not really concerned because our neighborhood is a good neighborhood," he said. "We get a bad name. Things happen all over town. For some reason, when it happens in East Akron, it gets blown out of proportion. We are in a neighborhood with good people who have been living here their whole lives."

Contact reporter Derek Kreider at [email protected] or 330-541-9413. Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at [email protected], 330-996-3705 and on Twitter: @swarsmithabj. 

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: East Akron Juneteenth event moves forward despite nearby shootings