Organizers of an annual Juneteenth event sued the city and Mayor Ed Gainey on Wednesday, alleging the mayor used his position to hamper preparations, withhold funding and delay the permitting process in retaliation for criticism organizers leveled against the city several years ago.

William “B” Marshall has hosted Juneteenth activities in the city through his organization, Stop the Violence Pittsburgh, since 2013 — a festival Mr. Marshall said generated more than $4 million in economic impact in the city last year. The group also hosts an annual Soul Food Festival in the city.

Olga George, a spokeswoman for the Gainey administration, said in a statement Wednesday afternoon that any issues Mr. Marshall encountered have been “of his own making, not due to bias or unfair treatment.”

“Despi

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