Hi Jack,
 

My team and I are celebrating and reflecting on this year’s Juneteenth holiday by supporting Black-owned businesses in Arkansas. You’ll find us at the Freedom Festival in Springdale and the Juneteenth Celebration in Fort Smith tomorrow.

What’s Juneteenth? This is only the second year that the United States has recognized Juneteenth as a federal holiday; it’s rightfully a momentous day in our history, but I understand if you might not be sure what this holiday is and how it’s celebrated.

On June 19, 1865, Union troops made it to Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of the Civil War and announced all enslaved people in the Southern States were free. This was a whole two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.

This wasn’t necessarily the end of slavery -- in states like Kentucky, people were enslaved until the 13th Amendment was ratified. And following emancipation, the discrimination against Black people did not end. Think Jim Crow, mass incarceration, and red-lining. 

We need to know our history and acknowledge our nation’s original sin of slavery -- and the impact that kind of pain and suffering has left behind in its wake across generations.

Today, we still have work to do. We need to advocate for criminal justice system reform, which includes accountability and justice in policing. We must also address the racial disparities in our educational, healthcare, and economic institutions by requiring equitable spaces and policies for us all.

As Lieutenant Governor, I will advocate for a world where people can be loved and accepted for who they are. I will support policies that protect vulnerable populations and do not discriminate against people because of skin color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, nationality, religion, or disability status -- which includes supporting a true Hate Crimes Bill.

I hope you’ll take some time to learn more about the history of Juneteenth and think of some ways you can take action to show your support for real justice and accountability. I also hope to see you out and about in Arkansas, today and every day, supporting our Black community. 

If you’re in NWA and want to learn more about Juneteenth, you can go to the Freedom Festival in Springdale or the Fort Smith Juneteenth Celebration. The Arkansas Democratic Black Caucus also put together this list of events happening across the state:

• Blytheville: Gospel Fest at 3 pm
  
  
• Camden: Car show at 3 pm
  
  
• Elaine: Free Soul Food Dinner for community at 3:00 pm; meet and greet with candidates
  
  
• Eudora: Community Picnic hosted by Eudora High School Alumni at Ministers Institute at 2 pm
  
  
• North Little Rock: Stone Soul Picnic at Riverfront Park at 4 pm
  
• Wilmar: Gospel concert at 6 pm

Thanks for your time today, and happy Juneteenth!

In solidarity,

Kelly + team