Juneteenth: Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego Commemorates Holiday

PHOENIX, AZ — Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego officially commemorated June 19, 2021 as Juneteenth in Phoenix on Friday.

The proclamation ensures that the holiday, which honors the date that enslaved people in Galveston, Texas learned of their freedom at the end of the Civil War in 1865, is honored in the city going forward.

The proclamation comes a day after President Joe Biden signed a law making Juneteenth a federal holiday.

Gallego's proclamation puts Juneteenth one step closer toward being a city holiday, with the Phoenix City Council voting to formally adopt the holiday this fall.

“It is important to recognize the importance of this day,” said Mayor Kate Gallego in a statement. “Part of our job is to understand the history, appreciate the changes that have taken place since the original Juneteenth, while never losing sight of the fact that – even now – we have more work to do to fulfill the promises of freedom, equality and opportunity.”

Gallego's proclamation reads, in part:

“Juneteenth represents the triumph of emancipation and marks a day of reflection for many residents of the City of Phoenix…. The annual Juneteenth celebration in the City of Phoenix will take place at Eastlake Park on June 19, 2021. It serves to remind each of us of the promises of freedom, equality, and opportunity which for all.”