FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News from the Vermont Democratic Party
--
MONTPELIER, VT — Today is Juneteenth the day that commemorates June 19th 1865, the day that enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas were told they were free and that the Civil War had ended. This action put into effect the Emancipation Proclamation, which had been issued over two-and-a-half years earlier. Juneteenth has been an annual celebration for centuries, bringing families and friends together to celebrate. In June 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday. This Juneteenth, we continue the fight for justice for Black lives and join together to recognize both how far we've come in the years since the first Emancipation Day and how much work we have left to do to address racial injustice and inequality in America. We need to create equity, quality, and justice in our economy, health care system, criminal justice system, education, housing, and more. Today, once again, we renew that commitment. We also need to ensure that every American has an equal voice, the right to vote, and elected officials who will represent their individual and community needs. Happy Juneteenth, and may we put action to our words today and every day as we continue to root out the systemic racism that impacts our Black communities here in Vermont and across the nation.
###
CONTACT:
Asha Carroll Communications Director Vermont Democratic Party acarroll@vtdemocrats.org (802) 391-4035