Juneteenth event parking rules spark backlash
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This year's Juneteenth festival brought thousands of attendees to Mellon Park. Photo: Alexis Johnson/Axios
Parking problems at this year's Juneteenth festival have led to accusations of racism and poor event planning.
The big picture: The city's largest Juneteenth celebration was moved to a new location this year — Mellon Park in Shadyside — and festivalgoers said their cars were ticketed or towed near Bakery Square after the complex's garage was closed to them, while remaining open to Bakery Square shoppers.
Catch up quick: Festival parking was available at the Bakery Square garage on June 19 and 20, but the garage was closed to festivalgoers on June 21 and 22.
- Property owner Walnut Capital said that the garage is designed for retail customers, not large-scale public events, and that it had allowed festivalgoers to park there on the first two days as a "goodwill gesture."
- Organizer B Marshall alleges Black people were singled out, calling the enforcement "racially motivated," a claim that the owner of the parking garage is disputing.
Axios requested ticketing and towing data from city officials, but they did not respond.
What they're saying: "Because the Bakery Square [garage] is private, they have the right to stop anyone from parking there, but you can't target Black people or Juneteenth attendees from parking," Marshall said at a Wednesday press conference.
- The event attracted tens of thousands of people, per Marshall, and some Black people on social media agreed with Marshall that racism was behind the closing, while others said they were allowed to park there over the weekend to patronize Bakery Square businesses without issue.
The other side: Walnut Capital supports Juneteenth festivals, the company's lawyer, Jonathan Kamin, said in a statement.
- Kamin said Walnut Capital spent $30,000 on logistical support, including parking meter buyouts, so festival vendors and performers could park for free close to the venue.
- He said there was no agreement with Marshall to allow Juneteenth attendees to use the garage.
- Kamin said that on the two days the garage was open to festivalgoers, people refused to pay for parking, threatened staff, and threw rocks from the garage onto pedestrians and traffic below.
- Axios was not able to independently verify these claims.
Friction point: Kamin blamed Marshall for poor planning that led to some festivalgoers getting tickets and having their vehicles towed: "Rather than take responsibility, Mr. Marshall has attempted to deflect blame," he said.
- Marshall questioned the decision to block Juneteenth festivalgoers from parking in the garage. "One or two people may have did something and you are going to target the whole community?"
What's next: City Councilman Khari Mosley, who represents neighborhoods near the event, said on Facebook he's working with law enforcement and Walnut Capital to address parking and towing complaints, which he called "very troubling."
- "We are scheduling meetings to address allegations I have received and to obtain a full report," he said.