OAKLAND, Calif. – What’s normally a jubilant Juneteenth celebration at Oakland’s Lake Merritt — marred last year by a mass shooting, was instead met with barricades and blocked roads Thursday, leaving community members blindsided and festivities muted.
Confusion
What they’re saying: — Some local business owners said they were never informed of the closure along Grand Avenue and key arteries around the lake. Some vendors chose to relocate to Mosswood Park.
However, establishments like Merritt Station Cafe, apparently knew about the closures, posting a sign outside their storefront. So did Grand Lake Kitchen, though they posted about the closures around 10 p.m. Wednesday.
Nesanet Tamirue, manager of Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant on Grand Avenue, said her staff only learned of the barricades on Thursday when they ran into them on their way to work. The road closures caused delays, including one that made her employees late to a catering event.…