JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A small, but mighty group joined at the Jacksonville Dollar General on Kings Street Thursday to pray over the victims that lost their lives in the mass shooting that happened there nearly two years ago.

The vigil was dedicated to recognizing the tragedy and the hardships the Black community has faced while celebrating Juneteenth.

“People have been fighting for this holiday for years and years,” Rev. Jeffrey Dove of St. James AME Church told First Coast News. “I think it’s only right that we continue to celebrate.”

Although the federal holiday commemorates the end of slavery, church leaders used visuals to explain racial tension in this day and age, advocating for Angela Carr, A.J. Laguerre Jr. and Jerrald Gallion, who lost their lives in the shooting that officials say was racially motivated.

Dove explained he wants people to use the holiday to look back on tragedies like this so the victims aren’t forgotten, while also helping the victims’ families try to move forward.

“Every day is not a good day for them,” Dove said. “I don’t think there’s a day that goes by without them remembering to go to the grocery store and never returning. We had a hard time actually getting them here because it still resonates with them.”

Following the vigil, church leaders invited others to join a Juneteenth celebration just down the street at Edward Waters University. This will be open to the public until 7 p.m. Thursday.