Milwaukee County employees will receive a floating holiday on June 19, 2020 as a celebration of Juneteenth Day, the 155th anniversary marking the end of slavery in the United States.
County Executive David Crowley and County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson announced the move Monday morning.
“Beginning this year, Milwaukee County will officially recognize this important day in American history,” County Executive Crowley said in an official statement. He is the first-ever African-American to be elected as Milwaukee County Executive.
“Juneteenth is a day to celebrate the rich history and culture of the African American community,” Crowley continued. “It is also a day to appreciate the long struggle for civil rights that Black people in America have faced for centuries. I am hopeful that our employees will be able to take June 19 as a day ‘on’ not a day off in order to fully support Black lives, liberation, and the vision of Milwaukee County to achieve racial equity and become the healthiest county in Wisconsin.”
Juneteenth Day celebrates when, in 1865, union soldiers reached Texas to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation which had been issued by President Abraham Lincoln two years before.
A resolution will go before the County Board to make Juneteenth a permanent floating holiday for county employees.
“As America begins, again, to open our hearts and minds to fully accept and seek to redress centuries of oppression and systemic racism, Milwaukee County is taking a step forward to formally acknowledge and celebrate Black Independence Day and all that it symbolizes,” County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson added in the statement.
“One day, perhaps all Americans will sing the Black National Anthem together at the start of sporting events and other gatherings, and celebrate freedom and equity for ALL Americans, the true promise of these United States.”
Juneteenth day is an optional holiday for City of Milwaukee employees.
