Mayor Derek Dobies today signed a proclamation declaring June 19, 2020 as Juneteenth Celebration Day, and called on the city administration to make Juneteenth an official city holiday in the City of Jackson. The move would likely make Jackson the first city in the State of Michigan to declare Juneteenth an official, paid city holiday.
“Our city is going to celebrate Juneteenth, but also continue to put in the work to ensure we are the racial confronting challenges we face head on,” said Mayor Derek Dobies. “Making Juneteenth a city holiday shows the importance we place on the meaning of this day to so many in our community, and our desire to engage our community in conversations on racial equity.”
“We celebrate Juneteenth every year, but this year — given our conversations around racism and Black lives — it matters even more,” said City Councilman Freddie Dancy. “The story of Juneteenth is twofold: we celebrate the emancipation of our people, but in it we are reminded of the fact that — for so many — justice continues to be delayed.”
Dobies said, due to COVID-19 public health precautions, the City joined community leaders in putting out a video celebrating Juneteenth, instead of its annual celebration downtown. He said he and other City Councilmembers plan to join in several community events this weekend, including the painting of the “Black Lives Matter” mural on Washington and the southside Juneteenth celebration on Sunday.
The text of the proclamation reads as follows:
PROCLAMATION
JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION DAY
WHEREAS, when Union Army General Gordon Granger landed in Galveston to take command of the military district of Texas, one of his first actions in June of 1865, was to read General Order #3 to the people stating all slaves are free, as a result June 19th became the emancipation date of those long suffering for freedom, the newly freed slaves of Texas; and
WHEREAS, the celebration of Juneteenth is a multi-cultural recognition of the triumph of the human spirit over the cruelty of slavery, for African-Americans, it is a tribute to the strength, endurance and faith of their ancestors, for all of America it is a reminder that none of us is free until all of us are free; and
WHEREAS, in June of 2005, Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm signed legislation officially designating the third Saturday in June as Juneteenth National Freedom Day in Michigan; and
WHEREAS, in Jackson, Juneteenth has been a day of celebration, traditionally by a large event downtown led by a committee organized by Jackson College to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States by celebrating the joys of liberty, educating the community about our heritage and by promoting positive cultural interaction; and
WHEREAS, during the COVID-19 pandemic, large gatherings, including the Jackson College Juneteenth celebration were cancelled for 2020 to better protect public safety; now
WHEREAS, it is imperative that citizens across our community join together to acknowledge a time in our history that carried on the nation’s ideals of equality and democracy and celebrate the joys of liberty and justice for every American citizen;
NOW, THEREFORE, I Derek Dobies, Mayor of the City of Jackson, by virtue of the power vested in me under the Charter of the City, do hereby proclaim June 19, 2020 as:
Juneteenth Celebration Day
in the City of Jackson, Michigan; and hereby, recognize, honor, and celebrate Juneteenth in the City of Jackson, and supports events organized to help commemorate this day in our community; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that city administration is hereby petitioned to henceforth make Juneteenth an official city holiday in the City of Jackson, and that our community and local businesses are encouraged to celebrate such holiday, to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States by celebrating the joys of liberty, educating the community about our heritage, and by promoting positive cultural interaction.
*****
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereto affixed my
signature and the Seal of the City of Community,
Michigan on this 19 day of June, 2020.
___________________________________________
Derek J. Dobies, Mayor