Juneteenth Day is now a floating holiday for Milwaukee County employees.
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson announced Monday that county employees would have a floating holiday on June 19, to mark Juneteenth Day and the end of slavery.
“Beginning this year, Milwaukee County will officially recognize this important day in American history,” Crowley said. “Juneteenth is a day to celebrate the rich history and culture of the African American community. It is also a day to appreciate the long struggle for civil rights that Black people in America have faced for centuries. I am hopeful that our employees will be able to take June 19 as a day ‘on’ not a day off in order to fully support Black lives, liberation, and the vision of Milwaukee County to achieve racial equity and become the healthiest county in Wisconsin.”
The measure was implemented by Administrative Order to ensure that county employees can use the floating holiday in 2020. Officials say moving forward, a resolution will be introduced so that Juneteenth can become a permanent floating holiday.
“As America begins, again, to open our hearts and minds to fully accept and seek to redress centuries of oppression and systemic racism, Milwaukee County is taking a step forward to formally acknowledge and celebrate Black Independence Day and all that it symbolizes,” Nicholson said. “One day, perhaps all Americans will sing the Black National Anthem together at the start of sporting events and other gatherings, and celebrate freedom and equity for ALL Americans, the true promise of these United States.”
