Council 4 operations will be closed today in recognition of Juneteenth.

Known as Emancipation Day, Juneteenth, or Freedom Day – June 19 is a day of celebration commemorating the legal end of the inhumane enslavement of African Americans in the United States.

The historical significance of this day should resonate more than ever this year, and deserves special attention by all of us. Moving toward a society where the basic rights of equality and justice for all is a reality represents an ongoing challenge. Falling short of that goal is unacceptable.

For AFSCME members, the fight for economic and social justice are tightly interconnected – a connection even more apparent with the COVID-19 pandemic bringing economic and racial disparities to light.

As AFSCME President Lee Saunders said, “We will not rest until our leaders answer our calls for racial justice. Once again, we’re being presented with a false choice, which our union has always categorically rejected: the idea that public safety is incompatible with basic civil rights. The truth is: a healthy society can and must have both.”