JUNETEENTH 2020—A DAY OF COLLECTIVE MOURNING, OUTRAGE, AND ACTION

On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, TX, and issued General Order No. 3, announcing and enforcing the end of slavery in the last Confederate state. Juneteenth, acknowledging this belated emancipation, has been observed continuously since 1866, and is now a recognized celebration or holiday in 47 states and the District of Columbia.

Usually a time for collective celebration, Juneteenth 2020 is a focal point for collective mourning, outrage, and action:

• Mourning for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner, Botham Jean, Philandro Castile, Sandra Bland, Tamir Rice, Michael Brown, and so many others murdered by police;

• Outrage at the continuing status quo of police brutality and militarization that permeates our domestic law enforcement infrastructure;

• Action online and in the streets in coalition and coordination with the Movement for Black Lives—contact PDA’s Deputy Director Mike Fox at mikefox@pdamerica.org in order to help coordinate events in your city or state.

Progressive Democrats of America is proud to be one of more than 150 organizations supporting the Movement for Black Lives, coordinating actions, messages, and campaigns to make meaningful and transformative change in racial justice and equity.

Please take a moment on this Juneteenth to donate generously to PDA and M4BL to support our joint actions.

As the Black National Anthem proclaims, “Lift every voice and sing…let us march on till victory is won,”