Happy Juneteenth.
Today, we commemorate the emancipation of the last enslaved African Americans in the United States. On this day in 1865, federal troops marched into Texas to put an end to slavery. This came more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
Juneteenth is a day for celebration. It is also a sobering reminder that progress has moved too slowly. Today, we honor the Black community and recommit ourselves to doing the hard work, to address the inequalities in California’s criminal justice system, in our neighborhoods, in our schools, in our hospitals, and in our workplaces.
This is a time to honor the legacy of those who fought for freedom, celebrate the innumerable achievements and contributions of Black Americans to this nation, and forge a new, unified future.
Thank you,
Rob Bonta
