Whitmer indicators laws making Juneteenth a state vacation

Juneteenth is now an official state vacation in Michigan. 

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday signed bipartisan laws sponsored by state Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit) and state Rep. Helena Scott (D-Detroit) recognizing June 19 as a day to “spotlight Black historical past and tradition, commemorate the tip of slavery in America and have fun elementary values all of us maintain pricey — freedom, liberty and equality.” 

Juneteenth acknowledges the date that Union Military Normal Gordon Granger landed in Galveston, Texas, and skim Normal Order No. 3, stating that every one enslaved individuals had been free, and that former masters and enslaved individuals had been completely equal in private and property rights. 

Michigan Senate OKs invoice making Juneteenth a state vacation

“On Juneteenth, we come collectively to have fun elementary American values of freedom and equality, embodied by the tales and legacies of the Black group,” mentioned Whitmer. “Juneteenth is a second of celebration and reflection, however it’s also a chance to recommit ourselves to motion. 

“Since I took workplace, we’ve been centered on making Michigan a extra equitable place the place each Michigander has equal alternative to succeed. Collectively, we’ve invested in communities in each area of Michigan, taken motion to shut racial gaps in well being care and training, and banned race-based discrimination in opposition to pure hair. June nineteenth will eternally be often known as Juneteenth in Michigan and I encourage each Michigander to mirror on our historical past and have fun the values that we’ll proceed preventing for collectively.” 

The laws brings Michigan in keeping with the federal authorities after President Joe Biden made Juneteenth a nationwide vacation in 2022. It additionally follows efforts Whitmer made final yr as part of a collective bargaining settlement with the state and union leaders to make Juneteenth a state vacation for all state workers earlier than laws was handed.  

Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist mentioned Juneteenth is a vital alternative to focus on each the tales of Black Michiganders and the trail towards freedom, equality and justice.

“As Michigan’s first Black Lieutenant Governor, I’m proud to work alongside Michiganders to deal with points just like the disparities in well being care entry and discrimination at college or the office, and make report investments in infrastructure, training, and environmental justice that notably impression Black Michiganders,” he mentioned. “Governor Whitmer and I are dedicated to making sure each Michigander has the chance to succeed.”

Michigan Democratic Celebration Chair Lavora Barnes additionally hailed the signing.

“It took too lengthy to get us to today, however now, with Governor Whitmer’s signature and due to Democrats within the state legislature, we now have a day the place each Michigander can honor the liberty, tradition, and empowerment of Black individuals,” she mentioned. “Whereas locations throughout our nation are selecting to disregard our historical past, we in Michigan are taking the time to acknowledge and be taught from our previous.”