FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, June 18, 2021

CONTACT:
MayorPress@sandiego.gov

SAN DIEGO As part of his efforts to create a more inclusive San Diego and celebrate the diversity of its residents, Mayor Todd Gloria today was joined by Councilmembers Monica Montgomery Steppe and Marni von Wilpert, his Black Advisory Group, and community members to declare Juneteenth in the City of San Diego.

Juneteenth marks the day freedom was realized for Black slaves in this country. Though it was over 100 years ago, our Black community still wades through the traumatic effects of slavery and its residue of injustice, Mayor Gloria said. Im grateful to see the steps were making as a city and a nation toward righting the wrongs done toward our Black community. Proclaiming Juneteenth shows that we acknowledge and recognize the importance of celebrating freedom.

June 19, 1865 is the day when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas and announced to over 250,000 enslaved Blacks that they were free by executive decree two years after they had been declared free by the United States government.

Since the first Juneteenth, June 19 has been celebrated annually as a cultural holiday. This week, Congress voted unanimously that June 19 would be deemed a U.S. federal holiday known as Juneteenth National Independence Day.

As African Americans, we must preserve our culture and teach our history, including the true meaning of Juneteenth," said Councilmember Monica Montgomery Steppe, the sole African American San Diego city councilmember. "In this country, there is a history of commercializing and diluting the significance of historical events and erasing African Americans from the history books. We are still fighting for the Juneteenth promise of liberation and equity for all African Americans. Today's ceremony is more than a symbolic gesture at City Hall; it is about preserving our history and telling our own stories. Thank you to the Cooper Family for 50 years of Juneteenth celebrations.

I am honored to take part in the City of San Diego's recognition of Juneteenth. It is so important that we commemorate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, and we use this day of remembrance to drive action, said Councilmember von Wilpert. While we have come a long way, there is still much work to be done in the fight for racial justice in our country.

Historically, Juneteenth has only been celebrated at City Hall in the form of presentation through District 4 and the City of San Diegos Black Employee Association. Last year marked the first time a flag was hung commemorating Juneteenth at City Hall, and this year will be the first time the flag is raised outside of the City Hall building.

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