Internal NFFE News
June 19, 2024
On Juneteenth we commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. Each year on June 19th, we celebrate the anniversary of the emancipation of the last enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas who were freed when the Union Army fully enforced the Emancipation Proclamation on this date in 1865. In 2021, President Biden signed the bipartisan Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law, recognizing the importance of Juneteenth and permanently memorializing the date as a Federal Holiday.
NFFE takes great pride in our commitment to diversity and inclusion, and welcoming individuals from all backgrounds into our union family. As a union, we champion fairness and justice not only within workplaces, but in our communities across the country. We are dedicated to upholding democracy and opposing any attempts to disenfranchise voters and working people. Standing in solidarity, we pledge our support to the Black community and all marginalized groups.
As we commemorate Juneteenth, it is important to reflect on the advancements that were achieved by abolitionists, civil rights leaders, and allies despite extreme violence and oppression. We must also recognize the challenges that remain in achieving genuine racial and economic equality for all people in this country. We must uphold the fundamental right to vote, which is critical in this endeavor, and remember that it is necessary to defend it. I urge everyone in the NFFE family to recognize this deep responsibility, and ensure we vote for elected officials who support the right to vote for all Americans.