Dear Friend,

Today we celebrate Juneteenth, our nation's second Independence Day. It is a day to celebrate freedom, to commemorate the end of slavery, and to honor the memories of those who suffered under slavery as well as those who suffered -- and continue to suffer -- under its lasting legacy.

When we look at our national parks and monuments, we want all people to feel represented, safe, and welcome. Two sites in particular, Black Wall Street and the site of the 1908 Springfield Race Riot, are underrecognized stories in American history that deserve a place in our history books and among our public monuments. That is why we are calling on President Biden to ensure our national parks and monuments honor our country's true history and diversity.

On Juneteenth, we should remember that the dehumanization and brutality faced by Black people in this country did not disappear with slavery. Two and half years after the Emancipation Proclamation, more than 250,000 Black people were still enslaved in Texas. On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston Bay, TX and announced the end of slavery by executive decree. The newly freed people of Texas adopted the name Juneteenth for the day.

Jim Crow-era policies and structures are still ubiquitous across the land. There have been aggressive efforts to deny this reality and to bury the history of racism and brutality in the 159 years since slavery was abolished. But to understand our present and strive for a better future we must learn about our past.

Our public lands must represent the diverse American experience and reflect the contributions of all Americans. That is why the Sierra Club is fighting for the creation of national monuments to memorialize two instances of racial violence that scarred the cities where they took place and the descendants of their survivors for generations. Designating Black Wall Street in Oklahoma and the site of the 1908 Springfield Race Riot in Illinois as national monuments will help make sure that our public lands bear witness to our nation's full history.

Take action now! Ask President Biden to designate Black Wall Street in Oklahoma and the site of the 1908 Springfield Race Riot in Illinois as national monuments.

Thank you,

Ben Jealous (he/him)
Executive Director
Sierra Club

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P.S. Another way to honor Juneteenth is to visit a place that celebrates Black history (including the site of the 1908 Springfield race riot and Black Wall Street). Find a site near you!

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