CITY OF SEBASTOPOL
Proclamation
Proclaiming June 19, 2025, as Juneteenth Day;
honoring the legacy of freedom and recommit ourselves to the pursuit of equity, equality, and justice for all
Whereas, on June 19, 1865, over two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the end of slavery and ensure freedom for all enslaved people in the United States; and Whereas, this day became known as “Juneteenth,” a combination of “June” and “nineteenth,” and has since been celebrated as the oldest known commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States; and
Whereas, Juneteenth stands as a powerful reminder of the ongoing journey toward justice, equality, and freedom, and honors the strength, resilience, and contributions of African Americans throughout our nation’s history; and
Whereas, recognizing Juneteenth as a national holiday is a reaffirmation of our commitment to truth, education, equity, and the unyielding pursuit of liberty for all.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, THAT I, Mayor Stephen Zollman, do hereby proclaim June 19, 2025, as Juneteenth National Independence Day in the City of Sebastopol and encourage all citizens to honor this day with appropriate programs, activities, and reflections that promote awareness, understanding, and unity. Let us celebrate freedom and work together toward a more just and inclusive future.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the Great Seal of the City of Sebastopol this 3rd day of June 2025.
Stephen Zollman
Mayor