Hey there -
Today, we celebrate Juneteenth -- the day that word of emancipation finally reached enslaved people in Texas in 1865.
Juneteenth is a reminder of America's original sin of slavery. It is a day to reflect on our nation's shared, painful history.
Today, we remember those who died while enslaved and those who fought to end it. We also recommit ourselves to the work that remains to make equality, equity and justice a reality for all.
It's long past time that we as a nation recognize the importance of this day by making it a national holiday. I'm proud to join Senators Cory Booker, Kamala Harris and Tina Smith to introduce a bill in the Senate that would do just that.
Will you become a citizen co-sponsor of our bill to make Juneteenth an official federal holiday? Add your name today to support this important legislation.
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Juneteenth also reminds us that the struggle for racial justice in this country has been full of delays and unfulfilled promises, and for too long, we have tried to whitewash our history instead of confronting the uncomfortable truth.
Starting in 1619, more than 400,000 enslaved Africans were sold into this country -- which was built upon land stolen from Indigenous populations.
Slavery remained legal for the following 246 years, and then even when they began to dismantle the institution, it was a slow process.
Following the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, it would take another two years until the Confederacy surrendered in April of 1865. Another two months -- June 19 -- for word of surrender to reach Texas. But the 13th Amendment still was not ratified until December of that year. Yet to this day, our criminal justice system is filled with vestiges of slavery.
We must understand that Black people in this country have never been fully freed. The struggle for equality, justice and equity continues.
This is the history we must reckon with, and the reality we must own up to today if we are to fully dismantle white supremacy and systemic racism in this country.
Juneteenth is a day for each of us to reflect on and recommit to that work. That is why our campaign recognizes today as a holiday for our staff, and if you agree that this should be the case for every American, then join us to call on Congress to take up our bill.
Add your name as a citizen co-sponsor of my bill with Senators Cory Booker, Kamala Harris and Tina Smith to make Juneteenth a federal holiday.
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Thank you for adding your voice to ours.
- Ed Markey
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Paid for by The Markey Committee
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