Washington, D.C.-(ENEWSPF)- Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02) today released the following statement on the adoption of Juneteenth as a federal holiday:
“Creating a federal holiday for Juneteenth is a worthy recognition, but a federal holiday to celebrate the day when the last enslaved people in Texas learned of their freedom – a secret that was kept from them for more than two years – is a far cry from the legislation that Black Americans need or deserve.
Voting rights are under attack – we must pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. Black people are disproportionately killed by police – we must pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. Lynching is still not a federal hate crime – we must pass the Emmett Till Antilynching Act. Black mothers are dying from pregnancy and childbirth at higher rates than other women – we must pass the MOMMA’s Act and expand Medicaid.
While I hope that Americans will use the holiday to educate themselves and their children about the meaning of Juneteenth, I urge my colleagues to continue fighting for legislative reforms and initiatives that actually protect and ensure the rights of Black Americans.”
