CITY OF SEBASTOPOL
Proclamation
A Proclamation of the City Council of the City of Sebastopol Recognizing June 19, 2024 as Juneteenth Day
WHEREAS, June 19, or “Juneteenth,” commemorates the day in 1865 when knowledge of the Emancipation Proclamation and the abolishment of slavery reached the last remaining enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, nearly two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863; and
WHEREAS. Juneteenth has been celebrated throughout the country for more than 150 years and is known by many names, including Jubilee Day, Freedom Day, Liberation Day, Black Independence Day, and Emancipation Day; and
WHEREAS, Juneteenth, or June 19, 1865, is considered the date when the last slaves in America were freed when General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas, and issued General Order No. 3, almost two and one-half years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation; and WHEREAS, Juneteenth symbolizes freedom, celebrates the abolishment of slavery, reminds all Americans of the significant contributions of African Americans to our society, and is a time for reflection and rejoicing, assessment, self-improvement, and planning; and WHEREAS, Juneteenth celebrations are a tribute to those African Americans, then and now, who fought so long and worked so hard to make the dream of equality a reality; and WHEREAS, the City of Sebastopol, renews its commitments to advance racial justice and equity within government and in our community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, that the City Council of the City of Sebastopol hereby declares June 19, 2024, as “Juneteenth Day” in the City of Sebastopol. .
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the Great Seal of the City of Sebastopol this 4th day of June, 2024.
----------------------------------------------------------- Diana Gardner Rich, Mayor