Protesters gather near White House for Juneteenth

Multiple Juneteenth marches and protests have been working their way through the nation’s capital, with most planning to converge in the evening on the recently renamed Black Lives Matter Plaza across from the White House.

The holiday commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and is usually celebrated with parades and festivals.

But on Friday, it became a day of protest this year in the wake of nationwide demonstrations set off by George Floyd's killing at the hands of police in Minneapolis.

In addition to the traditional cookouts and readings of the Emancipation Proclamation, Americans were marching, holding sit-ins or car caravan protests.

Outside the White House, several hundred people gathered as blue skies started giving way to storm clouds.