John,

Juneteenth is a crucial day in our nation’s history to remember how far we have come and recognize how far we still have to go.

During a time when communities of color are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, and when the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery have shone a light on the systemic racism Black Americans face every day, we must work together to build a more equitable and just Michigan.

I’m proud to recommit myself today on Juneteenth to continue the tireless work to create a state and country that lives up to our constitutional promise of true equality and justice for all.

Juneteenth originated on June 19, 1865, when Union Army General Gordon Granger landed in Galveston, where he read General Order #3, stating that all enslaved people were free, and that former masters and enslaved people were absolutely equal in personal and property rights. Acting as the date of emancipation, June 19th also became a long-standing day of celebration, meant to signify African-American resilience and the end of slavery.

Since day one, both Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II and I have been committed to making Michigan a more equitable state, and we will continue to do so. We will continue to listen, learn, and act.

We still have far to go, but we will always fight for justice for all.

Thank you,

Gretchen