Good News — The City Has Agreed to Implement MEA’s Proposal for “Juneteenth” To Be Added As A New City Holiday in June 2023!
Mayor Gloria and the City Council have heartily agreed to MEA’s proposal to add June 19 (“Juneteenth”), as a new paid City holiday, and to implement it this June rather than wait for our new MOU. This news comes as a fitting way to end February – Black History Month.
June 19 will be added to MEA’s MOU as an amendment to Article 47 and will follow all the same rules as other paid City holidays. Mark your calendars – Monday, June 19, 2023 will be a holiday!
While Juneteenth is recognized as a holiday by all 50 states and the federal government, it is not a paid holiday for most. MEA thanks the Mayor and Council for their swift action to elevate the importance of this day by making it a paid City holiday.
Why Do We Celebrate Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. From its Galveston, TX origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond. Juneteenth is a time for reflection, rejoicing, self-assessment, and improvement. On this day, in cities across the country people of all races, nationalities, and religions join hands to acknowledge a period of our history that shaped and continues to influence our society.