John,

 

Today we observe Juneteenth, the newest holiday to be added to our nation’s federal calendar – the first one in 38 years. 

 

The promise of equality is not going to be fulfilled . . . so long as the sacred right to vote remains under attack. We see this assault from restrictive laws, threats of intimidation, voter purges, and more—an assault that offends our very democracy. We can’t rest until the promise of equality is fulfilled for every one of us in every corner of this nation. That, to me, is the meaning of Juneteenth. – President Joe Biden, upon signing the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law on June 17, 2021 

 

For those unfamiliar with the story of Juneteenth, it’s an important one to learn. On June 19, 1865 – 900 days AFTER President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation – Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas with 2,000 Union troops to proclaim that more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in Texas were free. Predictably, many land owners ignored the orders, and the struggle for freedom continued.

 

Although this is a very young federal holiday, Black Americans, especially in the South, have been celebrating Juneteenth for 158 years. 

 

I urge you to explore the history and origins of this holiday. To get you started, I’m sharing the story of 96 year old Opal Lee, the Nobel Prize-nominated activist who has a personal connection to this date in history, and was instrumental in making Juneteenth a national holiday. 

 

We owe it to ourselves and our shared future to learn our nation’s history and face up to it. 

 

Systemic racism and white supremacy are prevalent in so many aspects of our society. Our current criminal justice system and racist voter suppression laws work hand in glove to keep millions of our fellow Americans from having a full chance at their version of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. 

 

While this is a day for joyous celebration for long-delayed freedom, it is also a time to reflect on the continued fight for true liberty and justice for ALL. 

 

David Roth
 
         

David Roth is a single, gay dad running for Idaho’s Second Congressional District. We’re going up against a GOP incumbent who has been in this seat for almost 25 years. It’s time for change in Idaho, and our grassroots campaign is building on the momentum that began in David’s race for U.S. Senate last cycle. The GOP is not planning to defend this seat, so we plan to take it from them and help Democrats retake the House majority next year. We’d love your support to build a solid campaign to bring progress to Idaho and the country.

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