St. Paul, Minnesota — Following the federal government's recent declaration of Juneteenth as a federal holiday, members of the Minnesota United Black Legislative Caucus (UBLC) plan to introduce a bill to make Juneteenth a state holiday. The UBLC released the following statement on this important holiday:
“As we look forward to celebrating and honoring the 155th Juneteenth today, it is important that we recognize the significance of this holiday throughout Minnesota. Juneteenth recognizes the end of a dark era of American history and allows us to acknowledge how far we’ve come and how far we have to go. This recognition of American history is important, but it does not signify the end of our work. In a time when laws are being passed across the nation which seek to suppress voting rights, block the teaching of America’s full history, and disinvest in Black communities, we know that we must continue to fight to reach a true justice. We look forward to seeing this bill pass into law and wish all Minnesotans a very happy Juneteenth!”
The United Black Legislative Caucus includes Representatives Esther Agbaje (59B), Cedrick Frazier (45A), Hodan Hassan (62A), Athena Hollins (66B), Rena Moran (65A), Mohamud Noor (60B), Ruth Richardson (52B), John Thompson (67A), and Senators Bobby Joe Champion (59), Omar Fateh (62). The People of Color & Indigenous (POCI) Caucus stands in solidarity with the UBLC.