Friend,

Today, we honor Juneteenth — a day for celebration, a day for joy, and a day to reflect on our American history and our Black history. We honor the liberation and freedom that Union soldiers brought to Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865, as enslaved Black people finally heard that their enslavement had ended, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

Our work to make this country a more perfect union is unfinished. Dem AGs across the country are at the forefront of this pursuit, fighting tirelessly to dismantle systemic racism and promote equity within our legal systems and institutions. They understand that actual progress demands action, not merely a commemoration.

Dem AGs’ work spans the gamut of issues facing America — including issues that have long persisted past the end of our nation’s ugliest chapter. From taking on landlords who are engaged in discriminatory practices; working to repair and rebuild trust and relationships in Black communities through criminal justice reform; and rooting out discrimination in public accommodations that remain to this day, our Democratic Attorneys General are on the frontlines of the work to lift up and improve our country.

On this Juneteenth, we celebrate the progress we have made while acknowledging the work that lies ahead. Together, we can create a future that embraces equality, equity, justice, and the unshakable belief that every individual deserves the opportunity to thrive and succeed.

Thank you,

Democratic Attorneys General Association