Refugee Congress Applauds the Recognition of Juneteenth as a Federal Holiday
For immediate release: June 19, 2021
WASHINGTON--Refugee Congress applauds Congress’ action to recognize Juneteenth as a federal holiday and proudly celebrates this important day.
Juneteenth marks the day, June 19, when thousands of enslaved peoples in Galveston, Texas, were finally informed of their freedom, a full two and half years after the Emancipation Proclamation declared that “all persons held as slaves…are and henceforward shall be free." It has long been marked by Black Americans as an important day recognizing emancipation.
On Juneteenth, we celebrate freedom and resilience. As a diverse community of refugees and asylees, our members share the common experience of fleeing violence and persecution at the hands of our own governments based on our racial and ethnic identity, political affiliations or religious beliefs. We are deeply grateful to Black Americans who resisted oppression and continue to resist to make the promise of human equality a reality for all.
We are proud that our country is taking the important step of recognizing Juneteenth as a federal holiday and pledge to continue to work together to dismantle the systems that maintain racial injustice and white privilege.
"We will continue to live freely with dignity, and there is no place for slavery in American society anymore.” - Lubab Al-Quraishi, Refugee Congress Delegate for New Jersey
"We shall continue to light a candle or light a pipe in your honor as we continue to grieve your early deaths. Your ancestors were forcibly snatched from your many homes and dropped off in lands unknown only to find out this pattern of events. You were once again considered lower class, and their lives were disposable." - Clara Hart, Refugee Congress Honorary Delegate (South Dakota)
“On Juneteenth, we must take a moment to honor and reflect on the sacrifices and injustices that have, for far too long, been the bedrock of our systems that perpetuate racial inequity and injustice. We applaud this first step taken to recognize Juneteenth as a federal holiday but we can never lose sight of the long road ahead of us to dismantle systemic racism and build a truly equitable society of welcome.” - Nili Sarit Yossinger, Refugee Congress Executive Director
“While we applaud Congress’ action to recognize Juneteenth as a federal holiday, we must recognize the work that still remains in dismantling racial injustice, systematic racism and white supremacy in our nation. This Juneteenth as we celebrate freedom and resilience, we will continue to fight and advocate for the work that still remains.” - Dagemawit Kebede, Refugee Congress Communications and Advocacy Associate
The recognition of Juneteenth as a federal holiday is such an important and overdue step. This is a day for celebration. At the same time, we need to continue to work and do much more to dismantle white supremacy and build a truly racially just and equitable nation." - Kacy Kostiuk, Refugee Congress Communications Manager
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Refugee Congress is a nonpartisan advocacy organization built and led by former refugees, asylum-seekers and other vulnerable migrants to promote the well-being, integration and dignity of all vulnerable migrants. With delegates across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, we use our voices and experiences to inform and influence decision-makers on critical domestic and international issues that affect our communities.
MEDIA CONTACT: (202) 905-6238, media@refugeecongress.org
