AUBURN - The Auburn Human Rights Commission brought the message of Juneteenth Day to a new generation on Wednesday with a celebration featuring storytellers.

The commission's annual commemoration of Juneteenth Day, which marks the day the last slaves were freed in 1865, brought students from area schools to the Booker T. Washington Center.

The afternoon celebration included a proclamation given by Auburn Mayor Timothy Lattimore, a citation by New York state Assemblyman Gary Finch and professional storytelling from the Black Storytelling League of Rochester.

Telling the story of Brer Rabbit, Robin Nowell spoke of the history of the story.

"Stories such as this one would have hidden code and meanings in them," Nowell said. "The animals would represent the slaves without saying their names. For example, a story of a small rabbit that would defeat a strong bear was a hidden message that even the slaves could defeat their masters." Nowell shared animal tales formed from stories she heard within her own family while growing up.

"Slaves were not allowed to have books, and many didn't know how to read and write," Lattimore said.

"They kept everything in stories that were passed down from generation to generation."

Storyteller Eunice White shared the touching story of a young slave girl who wanted her freedom more than anything else.

"Liza was always talking about freedom," White said. "Liza, you had better stop talking about that freedom or the master will be real mad with you."

It was the story of a young girl who wanted her freedom so badly that she ran away.

"The white man went in search of Liza," White said. "For three days and three nights they went in search of the young slave girl.

Finally on the fourth day the master returned and lined the slaves up out in the field and told us that they had found her. 'We strung her up, and if any of the rest of you think about running, you will get the same.'"

Yet the others new that young Liza was actually hiding in the attic of the big house.

"Previous celebrations were more for an adult crowd," said Karen Sheftic-Burns, executive director of the Auburn Human Rights Commission.

"We wanted to touch more on children. We wanted to connect with the kids and plant the seeds of history and respect for all cultures so that they could carry it with them throughout their lives."