Maine Democratic Party Chair Bev Uhlenhake and Maine Democratic Party Vice Chair Julian Rogers issued the following statement commemorating Juneteenth:
“Juneteenth marks the day that the enslaved people of Galveston, Texas were finally notified of their freedom, more than two years after the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation, and is a celebration of freedom and justice long delayed and denied for Black Americans.
“Juneteenth reminds us of the historical truth that our nation was not inherently free & equal at its founding in 1776 and, despite decades of progress, there is still much work to be done to live up to these ideals. In order to fulfill the core principles on which our nation was founded, we have a duty to embrace the full breadth of our nation’s history, including the stories and experiences of Black Americans who are still systematically denied equity and justice.
“Far too often Black Americans experience inequality in access to health care, housing, education, economic mobility, safety, and even their ability to participate in our democracy. We are proud of the ongoing work that Democrats are doing to address these disparities, and we recommit ourselves to electing leaders who prioritize equal justice and equity for all Americans.”
Note: Maine Democratic Party offices will be closed today, June 19th in observance of the Juneteenth holiday.
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