Friend –

The story of the United States cannot be told without the rich history of Black Americans' resilience and persistent power in the struggle to realize our nation's founding promise of liberty and justice for all.

The fight for our freedoms, rights, and equitable opportunities is ongoing and demands stamina. The news of emancipation arriving in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865 – two years late – shows that the pace of change is slow, and the ideals we work to make true are often forced into a patient posture.

That's why we center collective power and victories on Juneteenth. If we don't rejoice when we win, we risk losing the energy and foresight needed to sustain and take on future battles we know are ahead. Celebration helps us focus on the world we are creating instead of being overwhelmed by systemic resistance to progress, delays, and setbacks.

As we honor the self-determination of Black Americans and their ongoing legacy, we remain challenged to be unshaken in our fight to hold America and those who govern our communities accountable. Black activists have long provided the blueprint for advancing civil rights and liberties, and Black leadership in our communities continues to guide our work.

To see this persistence in action, read our latest blog by ACLU of Pennsylvania Staff Attorney Solomon Furious Worlds. It highlights a recent victory in McKeesport that illustrates the power and spirit of Black Pennsylvanians. Their unwillingness to back down from the pursuit of justice and fairness after local police terrorized Black residents during a manhunt serves as an inspiration to us all.

Keep fighting, today and every day.

Happy Juneteenth,

Mike Lee
Pronouns: He, him, his
Executive Director, ACLU of Pennsylvania