Northam announces proposed legislation to make Juneteenth a state holiday

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam Tuesday announced legislation that would make Juneteenth a paid state holiday. Juneteenth is the oldest celebrated holiday commemorating the ending of slavery in 1865.

“Every year as a nation we mark the Fourth of July or Independence Day, celebrating independence from our English Colonial rule," Northam said. "We celebrate this as a holiday, but that freedom we celebrate did not include everyone."

Celebrating Juneteenth statewide, he said, would be symbolize the state taking one step closer to reconciliation and one step closer to a more progressive Virginia.

Recording artist and Virginia Beach local Pharrell Williams spoke during Northam's press conference, saying that the announcement was fitting.

"Our country excels in celebrating Independence Day, but it’s not perfect," he said. "Juneteenth deserves the same recognition and celebration."

Delegate Charniele Herring D-Alexandria, the first black house majority leader in the commonwealth, agreed.

“It is more than appropriate to make Juneteenth a state holiday," she said. "Viewing the history of African Americans through the lens of slavery and Jim Crow, we see that legacies still exist in our institutions, including the criminal justice system, police contact, incarceration and in our courts."

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