CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Montgomery County could soon become the second county in Tennessee to recognize Juneteenth as an official, paid holiday.
Juneteenth, or Freedom Day, marks the anniversary of Union soldiers arriving in Galveston, Texas, with orders that all slaves in Texas were free in accordance with the Emancipation Proclamation. The City of Clarksville officially recognized the holiday with a proclamation signed by Mayor Joe Pitts.
Several local groups held Juneteenth events, celebrating with cookouts, block parties, and pop-up shops recognizing Black-owned business.
A new holiday
If approved, Resolution 20-8-1 would make Juneteenth a legal, paid holiday for Montgomery County employees beginning on June 19, 2021. The resolution was proposed by Commissioner Rashidah A. Leverett.
Shelby County passed a similar resolution on June 16, 2020, becoming the first county in Tennessee to recognize Juneteenth.
“I got the idea when I saw that it had passed in Shelby County, and it was also surprising to me that there were a lot of people that were unaware of what Juneteenth was. It’s been celebrated for many years. … Montgomery County would be a prime place to have this since we have such a diverse culture here. We have so many different people with Fort Campbell, with the diversity of our elected officials and the diversity of our different departments in the county. I thought ‘what a way to celebrate that by allowing our Montgomery County employees to have a day off,'” said Leverett.
Why now?
Leverett also spoke to the newfound popularity of Juneteenth following nationwide protests over the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others.
“I do think that, unfortunately, with the rise of some civil unrest here in our country (Juneteenth) took on a new shape, a new form, and a new audience. I thought, ‘What a way to capture this moment,'” said Leverett.
Commissioners respond
Commissioner Loretta Bryant called the proposal a state matter, and questioned the expense of a new paid holiday for county employees.
“I’d just like to say that I am not in opposition to Commissioner Leverett’s proposed resolution; however, I am of the opinion that this body is not the one that should vote on it. It should go to the state and become a state holiday. If we choose, as commissioners, to vote this holiday in, we have 1,076 county employees, and that would cost the taxpayers $226,500 for that one day. It will have much more meaning, and much more meaning and appreciation if it becomes a state holiday,” said Bryant.
Efforts have been made in the state Legislature to designate Juneteenth as a legal holiday with little success. In June, Rep. Antonio Parkinson (D-Memphis) brought forth a bill to make Juneteenth a legal holiday; however, it has since been amended to only recognize the day. The bill is currently being considered by the Calendar & Rules Committee.
Leverett said that she hopes the actions of county government will influence the decisions made at the state level.
“I understand my fellow commissioners’ reservations, and this is something that I have talked to the Legislative Liaison Committee about putting it on the Legislative Liaison Agenda; however, that’s not a guarantee that that would happen on the state level. Here in Montgomery County, we can at least spark some momentum in our state legislators to also consider Juneteenth as a state holiday,” said Leverett.
Barring any delays, the County Commission will vote on the resolution at their formal meeting on Aug. 10.
To read the full resolution, click here.
The Link LonkAugust 04, 2020 at 11:48PM
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Juneteenth could become an official holiday in Montgomery County - Clarksville Now
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