Photos: Boston area celebrates and reflects on Juneteenth

Around the city and suburbs, groups organized to mark Juneteenth, the holiday that commemorates emancipation in the United States.

Jorge Polanco from Medford held his son, Pharaoh, in the shade of a tree at a Black Lives Matter rally held on Town Field in Dorchester.John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

Staff of the Brookside Community Health Center and local residents held a silent vigil on Washington Street to mark Juneteenth. Suzanne Kreiter/Globe staff

Dwayne Hunter of Dorchester raised his fist during a large peaceful gathering on a hillside at Ronan Park during Funk the Police, Juneteenth Edition from Mass Action Against Police Brutality in Boston.Barry Chin/Globe Staff

Abdullah Beckett, vice president of the UMass Boston NAACP chapter, installed "gravestones" with the names of 109 victims of racism as part of a #saymyname memorial ground art installation at UMass Boston.Barry Chin/Globe Staff

Daya, left, danced with her boyfriend Mcknoche while listening to live music during Juneteenth Edition from Mass Action Against Police Brutality at Ronan Park in Dorchester.Erin Clark/Globe Staff

Demonstrators stood in the median in Grove Hall as cars honked in support while the protesters participated in a community Stand Out, organized by Greatest MINDS & the National Black College Alliance. Erin Clark/Globe Staff

People gathered on a hillside at Ronan Park for a musical speak out and rally against police brutality and racism in support of local families who have lost loved ones to police violence. Barry Chin/Globe Staff

Protesters march during a Juneteenth and anti-racism education rally in Milton.Blake Nissen For The Boston Globe

Nurse Anne-Marie Armand of the Brookside Community Health Center took part in a silent vigil in Jamaica Plain.Suzanne Kreiter/Globe staff

Protesters cheered during the rally in Dorchester.John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

An art mobile float sat on Town Field as it was readied for the Black Lives Matter rally. It was pulled by a pickup truck from Maynard and made from recycled materials. John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

Mariana Sano yelled at a counter protester at A Black Lives Matter rally held on Town Field in Dorchester.John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

Attendees kneeled at a silent vigil for Black Lives Matter in Jamaica Plain.Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff

A Black Lives Matter supporter (rear) had a passioned conversation with a counter-protestor on the street outside the park. John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

UMass Boston sophomore Ariannah Gervais, UMass Boston NAACP chapter Criminal Justice Chair, painted a board for the #saymyname memorial ground art installation.Barry Chin/Globe Staff

Maurice Roberson held a flag representing Black liberation during a rally for Black Lives Matter at Town Field in Dorchester.John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

Mary Radha Gray from Medford took a photo under the shade of a tree in Dorchester.John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

Liya Akoury held her husband Nader's hand as they rested at the rally for Black Lives Matter in Town Field in Dorchester. John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

Caron Reece, a journeyman ironworker spoke at the podium holding a sticker "Union Ironworkers Stand Against Racism "before a pause for 8 minutes and 46 seconds.David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

Protesters faced off with Black Lives supporters at Town Field in Dorchester on Friday. John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

Jasmine Cline-Bailey shielded her face as she listened to a speaker in Dorchester.John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

Myles, 6, received a megaphone from Shannon Greaves so he could say a few words during a Juneteenth awareness walk hosted by the Boys and Girls Club on June 18. While initially shy, Myles closed his remarks telling people to "Just be good." Blake Nissen for the Boston Globe

Shannon Greaves chanted from behind a banner during a Juneteenth awareness walk hosted by the Boys and Girls Club at Franklin Park on June 18. Blake Nissen for the Boston Globe

Finn, 9, held hands with his sister Soling, 7, and looked back at his mother, Teronda Ellis, during a Juneteenth awareness walk. Blake Nissen for the Boston Globe