NY lawmakers unanimously approve Juneteenth as a state holiday - newyorkupstate.com

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New York state lawmakers this week voted unanimously to establish June 19 as Juneteenth, a holiday to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States.

The holiday will honor “Black and African American freedom and achievements while encouraging continuous self- development and respect for all cultures,” the legislation says.

In the New York State Assembly, the vote on Thursday was 142 to 0. In the state Senate, the vote was 58 to 0.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo supports the effort.

“We will review the bill to ensure Juneteenth is a permanent, official state holiday that New Yorkers may use to reflect on the great progress we’ve made and as well as how much still needs to be made to create a more fair, just and equal society,” Cuomo spokesman Jason Conwall said in response to questions.

Juneteenth marks the day on June 19, 1865, that Union soldiers told enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, that the Civil War had ended and they were free. The Emancipation Proclamation freed the slaves in the South in 1863 but it was not enforced in many places until after the end of the Civil War in 1865.

Many African Americans have celebrated the holiday for decades. The holiday gained additional recognition this year among calls for police reforms and rethinking about racism in the nation.

Already, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order in June, declaring June 19 a holiday for state workers. Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon and Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh did the same.

“I am encouraging county employees and the entire community to take time this Friday and do something to help make our community a better place and prove that the people of Onondaga County will not tolerate racism, bigotry or oppression of any kind,” Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon said at the time.

If Cuomo signs the state legislation, the first statewide Juneteenth holiday would be in 2021.

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The Link Lonk


July 24, 2020 at 10:39PM
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NY lawmakers unanimously approve Juneteenth as a state holiday - newyorkupstate.com

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