Welcome to Wednesday, June 19th, friends...

Today is Juneteenth, a day commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S. 

Today marks the fourth annual federal observance and the 159th anniversary of Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, or Juneteenth Independence Day. Congress passed legislation designating Juneteenth as a federal holiday, and President Biden officially signed the bill into law on June 17, 2021.

Read more here to learn more about how to honor and celebrate Juneteenth. 

How will you honor Juneteenth today?

'The Ghosts of Slavery Live On' - A Juneteenth Message from Countable Founder Bart Myers

Countable's Founder, Bart Myers, reflects on Juneteenth in an open letter to the community, noting: 

"Today, Juneteenth, marks the end of slavery in our country. On June 19, 1865, the last remaining enslaved Americans were emancipated. Yet, this painful chapter of our history isn't a relic of the past. The atrocious stain of slavery still remains with us, haunting our present with institutionalized racism and discriminatory policies—it is a somber legacy that remains real and terrifying for so many Americans."

"As a father, I can’t even imagine the very real fear that African American parents face every day, dreading the thought that their children could be the next to fall victim to an unjust system. The fear is palpable, substantiated by too many tragic incidents. And it’s not just the fear that is real, but the systemic racism on which our country was built."

"Call your representatives, let them know you care, and demand real action. June 19th is the perfect opportunity to honor the legacy of those who came before us by taking action today."

How do you feel about the current state of civil rights in America?

New Mexico Declares Emergency as Wildfires Spread

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a state of emergency as wildfires spread throughout the state. 

Thousands of residents of southern New Mexico are fleeing their homes as the fire whips through their towns. Grisham said two independent fires, both listed as human-caused by the Southwest Coordination Center, have scorched more than 31 square miles of land so far. 

Are you concerned about wildfires this year?

SCOTUS Upholds Access to Abortion Pill Mifepristone

The Supreme Court has decided to uphold access to the abortion pill, a drug that the FDA has approved for over two decades. The justices unanimously rejected the argument from a group of anti-abortion advocates, known as the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, that questioned the FDA's decision. The verdict came down to the plaintiffs' standing to question the FDA's expertise. 

Should the Supreme Court block the abortion pill nationwide?

And, in the End...

How are you celebrating Juneteenth, America's second independence day?

-Jamie Epstein

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