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Suffragist City Parade in Rochester celebrates 'equality for all people'

WXXI News

People in Downtown Rochester celebrated "equality for all people" on Saturday with the third annual Suffragist City Parade. The event drew hundreds to Madison Street for a block party celebration at Susan B. Anthony Square. 

President and CEO of the Susan B. Anthony House, Deborah Hughes, said the parade is a precursor for the many milestone celebrations taking place in 2020.

“We’ve claimed the title suffragist city because we have those two amazing icons Susan B. Anthony and Fredrick Douglass and so many leaders who have helped to shape our nation. And so we are owning that and are really looking forward to a huge year in 2020 when we celebrate the 19th amendment’s 100 year anniversary, Susan B Anthony’s 200th birthday, and the Susan B Anthony Museum’s 75th anniversary,” Hughes said.

Both the parade and celebration honor democracy and voting rights, and the many historical figures that have shaped them.

Credit WXXI News

The Harriet Tubman Singers are a group of elementary students from Auburn. Together they performed an original song about Harriet Tubman and Susan B, Anthony called "Win the Vote."

"Everyone respects her (Susan B. Anthony) here. It's like we respect Harriet Tubman in Auburn," said sixth-grader Johnnie Smith, Smith says that he and his classmates learned about Susan B, Anthony while doing research to write the song.

This year's Suffrage City Parade took place at the same time as the National Women's Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The Hall is located in Seneca Falls, but the ceremonies were held at the del Lago Casino & Resort in Waterloo.